Jocelyn Chia-led Crescenta Valley girls’ golf ready for repeat success
There doesn’t appear to be any shortage of expectations concerning the Crescenta Valley High girls’ golf team.
The Falcons enter the season fresh off sharing a Pacific League championship with rival Arcadia and a sixth-place finish at the CIF Southern Section Central Team Divisional.
With three-time All-Area Girls’ Golfer of the Year Jocelyn Chia back leading the charge, the Falcons might be in line to grab sole possession of the league title.
There will be plenty of challengers in league looking to have a say in the matter, including powerhouse Arcadia, San Marino and La Cañada.
“We know that nothing is handed to anybody in this league,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Lee Pope, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year. “You have to be able to go out there and do it every week and I think we are capable of doing that.
“We have added some more depth to go along with our starting lineup. You can always use that depth. We want to prove we are one of the top teams in league again and do well at CIF.”
Chia has won three straight league individual championships, in addition to advancing to the CIF Southern Section Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying Tournament — the third round of individual play — for the third season in a row. Chia is a three-time reigning All-Area Girls’ Golfer of the Year.
Pope said there’s no reason why Chia can’t register a fourth league championship and advance to the state tournament in November.
“I still can’t believe it’s going to be her fourth year,” Pope said. “She’s done a great job at carrying our team all this time.
“She’s been solid and steady all this time. I have no doubt she will at least get to the third round of the playoffs. She knows what’s needed and [is] expected to be one of the top players in the state. I expect her to go far and let her clubs do the talking.”
Joining Chia in the Falcons’ lineup will be junior Audrey Chung, a reigning All-Area honoree who took sixth in league and reached the CIF Southern Section Girls’ Golf Individual Final for the first time
Crescenta Valley will also feature senior Alice Yoon, sophomores Laura Perez, Andrea Han and Gina Chung and freshmen Emily Redecker and Gloria Namkung.
At Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, coach Bill Sanchez returns to guide the Tologs for his sixth season.
The Tologs enter the campaign with some leadership from a group of returners following a fourth-place finish last season in the ultra-competitive Mission League.
Flintridge Sacred Heart will most likely feature a lineup that will have seniors Karin Gredvig, Katie Hartwig and Raleigh Scharre. They will be grouped with junior Cara Liwanag and sophomore Allie Wilson.
“It’s the first time in the last few years where we’ve had some more depth,” Sanchez said. “Maybe we can get some more turnout.
“I like their work habits. Maybe we can go out there and make a little noise.”
