Trio ready to attack Soule
While there wasn’t much suspense in determining which boys’ golf teams from the Pacific League would qualify for the playoffs, Crescenta Valley High, Burroughs and Burbank enter the postseason with varying goals.
They will look to achieve them at the CIF Southern Section Northern Team Divisional, which will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai.
Crescenta Valley, Burroughs and Burbank will be joined by league champion Arcadia in the 19-team event. The top three teams from the seven divisionals will move on to the CIF Team Championship Final, which will take place at 8 a.m. Thursday at Rancho San Marcos Golf Club in Santa Barbara.
Crescenta Valley enters the 18-hole divisional after clinching second in the league final Tuesday at Santa Anita Golf Course. Crescenta Valley Coach John Pehar, whose team finished 11th at last season’s divisional at Soule, said the up-and-coming Falcons are aiming to finish in the middle of the pack.
“Right now, they are playing well enough,” Pehar said. “We are just looking for a respectable showing and maybe we can shoot around 400.
“We would be good with a top 10-12 finish.”
The Falcons will be led by Andrew Cho, who finished seventh in the league’s individual tournament. Also expected to contribute for Crescenta Valley are Adrian Chia, Paul Park and Patrick Kallas.
Burroughs finished third in the tournament and has regularly turned to senior Kelsey Danziesen, who finished eighth in the league final and is a reigning All-Area honoree. Danziesen helped the Indians finish 12th last season.
Danziesen said the course conditions can sometimes be unpredictable.
“There’s going to be so many factors that come into play there, like the gusty winds, and it’s generally a tough course,” said Danziesen, who has been battling a nagging rib injury. “I’m confident with the way we have been playing and hopefully we will do well.”
Burroughs will also feature a lineup that will include Chris Kesicbasian and Sean White.
Burbank Coach Frank Childress, whose team finished fourth in league, said the Bulldogs are looking to improve on last season’s 15th-place finish at Soule.
“I expect a little better decent showing in the playoffs,” said Childress, who will have Brady Dunayer, Roman Verciglio and Andy Chung in the mix. “All six of our players have been jelling and it will be a good experience for them to get another taste competing in the playoffs.”
