St. Francis Wins Fourth Consecutive NCGA/ CIF Title
Champions St. Francis (Mountain View) (NCGA photo)
SALINAS, Calif. (November 7, 2016) -- St. Francis of Mountain made it four straight titles in a row, shooting a team score of 20-over 380 to defeat runner-up Dougherty Valley by seven shots at par-72 The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas.
The four titles in a row ties the NCGA/CIF record set by St. Francis of Sacramento, who accomplished the feat twice (1999-2002 and 2006-2009). Leading the Lancers were Maya Pugatch (74) and Bibilani Liu (75). Other St. Francis scores (best five out of six) were Doodle Yuen (76), Reisha Savadatti (77), Aishvarya Bedi (78) and Grace Chen (87).
“We’re just hoping to beat someone down in SoCal,” Lancers head coach Phil Marrone said.
Dougherty Valley, who came in at 387, was paced by a 74 from Jacqueline Ha and 76 from Belinda Hu.Claiming the third and final automatic team spot into the CIF Girls’ State Championship was Carondelet at 388.
Carondelet sophomore Yealimi Noh claimed the Individual title, defeating both Ty Akabane of San Ramon Valley and Jessica Luo of Lynbrook on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff after the three finished regulation tied at 1-over 73. On the first playoff hole (par-5 10th), Noh made birdie while both Akabane and Luo made par. Luo was awarded second place after a card-off with Akabane.
The three were among nine individuals who claimed spots into the CIF State Finals. The other six players moving on were Noor Ahmed of Vista del Lago (74), Sabrina Iqbal of Pioneer (74), Valley Christian’s Quynn Dunong (74), Granite Bay’s Vanessa Richani (75), Lexi Perry of Oak Ridge (75), Beah Cruz of Christian Brothers (76) and Elizabeth Scholtes of Alameda (77). Scholtes advanced after getting through a four-for-one playoff.
This year’s CIF Girls’ State Championship will be Nov. 15 at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga.