Golf Roundup: American Heritage Knocks Off Archbishop McCarthy

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Golf rivals American Heritage and Archbishop McCarthy went at it again, this time at the Region 8-2A Girls Tournament at Lago Mar Country Club.

After losing the state title to the Mavericks last year in a sudden-death playoff, American Heritage knocked off the defending state champion by 10 strokes, 297-307 to win the region crown.

The teams are now 1-1 in tournaments this year. The Mavericks finished three strokes ahead of the Patriots in last month's Lady Cougar Invitational in Naples.

The Patriots' have won five state titles in 10 years and looking to redeem themselves.

The Patriots were led by freshman Jillian Bourdage, who shot an 18-hole total 70 for her second consecutive individual medalist region title.

Other top American Heritage finishers were: eighth-grader Casey Weidenfeld (73), senior Ana Sofia Rodriguez (76), freshman Ana Maria Lopez (78) and sophomore Alena Lindh (85).

Archbishop McCarthy's top finishers were: senior Christen Simons (76), senior Georgette Garcia (76), senior Brooke Benedetto (76), freshman Natalia Jimenez (79) and senior Julia Matzat, 81.

Individual qualifiers were Pembroke Pines Charter eighth-grader Jennifer Lilly (78) and Jensen Beach sophomore Brianna Fitzpatrick (80).

American Heritage swept the team titles with the boys also finishing ahead of Archbishop McCarthy, 290-310.

McCarthy senior Anthony Wells, after missing state by one stroke the past two years after qualifying as a freshman, was the individual medalist with a 1-under-par 71 including four birdies. But it wasn't easy. He lost his clubs, range finder and cell phone in the lake when he left his bag by the cart path and didn't set the brake.

Buoyed by Wells and his quick recovery after the fifth-hole distraction, the Mavericks will make their first state appearance in three years after their runner-up finish.

But the day belonged to the Patriots. The boys were led by senior Jonathan Cachon (72), junior Alberto Martinez (72), freshman Jude Kim (73), freshman Leo Herrera (73) and eighth grader Jonathan Mourin (76).

Archbishop McCarthy's top finishers were: junior Eric Wagner (88), freshman Justin Lilly (77), senior Anthony Wells (71), sophomore Case Hinesly (80) and junior CJ Cooper, 82.

Individual qualifiers were Cardinal Gibbons junior Julius Boros (72) and Belen Jesuit sophomore Enrique Vila (74).

The top two teams and top two players from non-advancing teams at regions qualify for the state tournament at Mission Inn and Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills over the next two weeks.

In other region tournaments:

REGION 8-3A BOYS: Columbus won the title with a 27-stroke victory at Crandon Park Golf Course and are headed back to the state championship this week. Top scorers were low medalist Roberto Nieves (73), Joel Garcia-Lee (75) and Sharif Amastha (78). Palmetto also qualified with top scorer Jordan Laklak (78). Individual qualifiers were Cole Castro of South Dade (75) and Kyle Anders (80).

REGION 8-3A GIRLS: Cypress Bay won by three strokes over Palmetto, 326-329, with top scorers Andrea Presilla (74), Britney Buckley (75) and Gabrielle Soares (81) at Weston Hills Country Club. The Lightning, 2013 state champions, will make its fifth consecutive appearance at the state tournament. Palmetto was led by Alexa Rivas (73) and Katie Burge (78) and qualified for its first state appearance since 2012. Individual qualifiers were individual medalist Daniell Spillert of Our Lady of Lourdes (71), qualifying for her second state tournament, and Abigail Chai-Onn (77).

REGION 8-1A BOYS: Pine Crest won the title by four strokes ahead of Sagemont, 313-317, at Fort Lauderdale Country Club. The Panthers were led by sophomore Dominic Carrera (74), senior Miles Castro (74), freshman Rafael Salazar-Parancho (98), senior Justin Danzansky (88), and freshman Dylan Glatt (77). Sagemont was led by junior Kolby Nguyen (73) and junior Tyler Pham (76). Individual medalists were junior Jason Langer of Calvary Christian (72) and freshman Jake Beber-Frankel of Ransom-Everglades (73).

REGION 8-1A GIRLS: North Broward Prep won with an 18-stroke lead over Ransom-Everglades, 344-362, with top finishers senior Hannah Leiner (78), senior Jane Goldman (83), seventh-grader Kelly Shanahan (91) and junior Emma Rabinowitz (92). Ransom-Everglades top scorers were freshman Phoebe Beber-Frankel (80) and sophomore Megan Houchin (88). Individual qualifiers were Carrollton junior Tanya Eathakotti (71) and Chaminade-Madonna junior Valeria Pachecho (73).

In one of the biggest region tournament upsets, King's Academy, the overwhelming favorite to win the state 1A crown, will not be going to state. King's Academy finished third (310) behind Jupiter Christian (300) and Pine School (306) by four strokes (310). King's Academy was 8-0 and had won the Antigua National High School Invitational by 11 shots over the nation's top teams earlier this season. Defending state champion Andrew Kozan (69) and King's Academy teammate Alex Vogelsang qualified individually.

STATE GOLF SCHEDULE

at Mission Inn and Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills

Tuesday-Wednesday: Class 3A

Friday-Saturday: Class 1A

Nov. 1-2: Class 2A

BOWLING

For the second consecutive year, Coral Springs Charter girls' team finished the regular season with a 10-0 record after defeating Miramar, 3-0, in its' regular season finale, heading into Monday's district playoffs.

High scorers were Crystal Singh with a 256 and Harmony Romano with a 201. Singh finished with a new Broward County record average of 217 for the season.

Coral Springs Charter boys' team finished third in the district with an 8-2 record. Coral Springs Charter defeated Archbishop McCarthy, 3-0, in its season finale.

High scorers were Ryan Hernandez, 242, Joey Galang, 234 and Jacob Austin, 225.

DISTRICT SCHEDULE

District 15: at Sawgrass Lanes (host Coral Springs), Monday, 8 a.m.

District 16: at AMF Pembroke Pines (host Goleman), Monday, 9 a.m.

District 17: at Bird Bowl (host Coral Reef), Tuesday, 9 a.m.