The girls golf team won state to become the first team in school history to win back-to-back state championships. The team beat the state record by 10 strokes, finishing with an overall score of 585 on Oct. 19.
“The state finals is a different type of atmosphere, and for teams going there for the first time, that first tee feels very different than a normal regular season tournament,” said head coach Mike Schroeder. “Everyone’s expectations and everything they’re working for all year comes down to this tournament, and so it’s just a totally different type of pressure. All the top teams and all the top players are there, everyone’s vying to be the best.”
Junior Martha Kuwahara placed first individually, finishing five strokes under par with a score of 139. Senior Alexis Myers placed second individually, finishing with a total score of 141 and senior Kacie Moon placed ninth individually, finishing with a score of 148. Senior Lily Saed, juniors Erin Jeon and Shayla Freid, sophomore Lindsey Huang and freshman Lauren Jeon also contributed to the history-making win.
Kuwahara did not know she was in first place until the 18th hole of the second day, she said.
“[Schroeder was] like, ‘Oh you’re two strokes above second place right now,’ and, ‘You’re in first,’” said Kuwahara. “That’s when the nerves started to kick in. My hands started shaking, and I was sweating.”
The team finished 23 strokes ahead of Stevenson to clinch first place.
“We had a 16-shot lead after the first day, which was unbelievable, and so the conversation was, ‘Let’s stay focused, the job’s not done yet, we’ll have plenty of time to talk after this, but for now, we have 18 more holes to focus on,’” Schroeder said.
The team finished the season with a conference record of 10-0. The team also won sectionals with a score of 285.
On the bus ride home from the state championship, the golfers celebrated their win with music and karaoke, and were escorted by the police for the final few blocks back to school.
“To see them be able to actually finish the job and pat each other on the back and celebrate not just the state championship, but the legacy compared to all the other girls golf teams, it was…electric,” Schroeder said.