Added: 05-25-10
Taking state
After completing an undefeated season by winning 11 tournaments, the girls golf team headed to State. On May 13 they began the State tournament at Jimmy Clay golf course. The usual 36-hole, two-day round was reduced to 27 holes because of stormy weather conditions. However, this clearly did not stop the girls’ determination because they ended up taking home the State title. The girls had the lowest scores both days, with 302 the first day and 154 the second. They ended up coming out on top with 456 total strokes for both days, defeating the second place team from Allen by seven strokes.
Taking State was not met without putting in a lot of dedication and hard work.
“All year we have just been working really hard, practicing and putting in a lot of time and effort,” sophomore Mariana Sims said. “We’re glad that it paid off. We had won all of the tournaments we played, and we just wanted to keep the winning streak going. I think the big thing that helped us win was our determination and confidence.”
Other players agree that the mind-set of winning was a huge factor in taking the State title.
“It took tons of practice and preparation to win,” junior Haley Haught said. “We have played every tournament like it was State because we knew that when State came around it would take a little of the pressure off.”
Although hard work and motivation played a huge role in winning State, coach Chuck Nowland believes that luck was also a factor.
“Well, the number seven has been my favorite number because that's the number my baseball hero, Mickey Mantle, wore for the Yankees,” Nowland said. “I’ve been carrying a number seven Titliest ball in our team bag, which is a rare number for golf balls, and as we started the state tournament, I realized it was the seventh time I've coached a team at the State championship tournament. When the tournament was called after 27 holes, we had the winning margin by seven strokes. Strange — and wonderful.”
The win did not come without its challenges.
“The State tournament always presents more challenges than any other,” Nowland said. “You try to keep things in perspective, but it's not easy. That's why the experience we've had the past two years was so huge for our team — these girls were going to be ready for the crowds, the extra pressures, the college coaches watching. The main challenge was playing against some very talented teams like Allen and The Woodlands — they played us tough all year. We all had to endure the five hour delay, but we did have the four stroke lead to start day two, which I think gave us confidence as we started up again. Our girls played like champions — they accepted the challenges and faced them down one at a time.”
This win was a huge milestone for the team because this is the first time the girls golf team have ever won State. This was also achieved on a year the boys team also took home the State title for the second year in a row.
“You can’t imagine how excited I am,” captain senior Kaylin Terry said. “I’m so proud of my team. We’re all so close and we couldn’t have done it without each other. Everyone stepped up when we needed them to, and no one ever gave up. We knew from past experience winning State would take everyone playing well. It has been a team effort all year and winning State is a dream come true.”
Taking State was not met without putting in a lot of dedication and hard work.
“All year we have just been working really hard, practicing and putting in a lot of time and effort,” sophomore Mariana Sims said. “We’re glad that it paid off. We had won all of the tournaments we played, and we just wanted to keep the winning streak going. I think the big thing that helped us win was our determination and confidence.”
Other players agree that the mind-set of winning was a huge factor in taking the State title.
“It took tons of practice and preparation to win,” junior Haley Haught said. “We have played every tournament like it was State because we knew that when State came around it would take a little of the pressure off.”
Although hard work and motivation played a huge role in winning State, coach Chuck Nowland believes that luck was also a factor.
“Well, the number seven has been my favorite number because that's the number my baseball hero, Mickey Mantle, wore for the Yankees,” Nowland said. “I’ve been carrying a number seven Titliest ball in our team bag, which is a rare number for golf balls, and as we started the state tournament, I realized it was the seventh time I've coached a team at the State championship tournament. When the tournament was called after 27 holes, we had the winning margin by seven strokes. Strange — and wonderful.”
The win did not come without its challenges.
“The State tournament always presents more challenges than any other,” Nowland said. “You try to keep things in perspective, but it's not easy. That's why the experience we've had the past two years was so huge for our team — these girls were going to be ready for the crowds, the extra pressures, the college coaches watching. The main challenge was playing against some very talented teams like Allen and The Woodlands — they played us tough all year. We all had to endure the five hour delay, but we did have the four stroke lead to start day two, which I think gave us confidence as we started up again. Our girls played like champions — they accepted the challenges and faced them down one at a time.”
This win was a huge milestone for the team because this is the first time the girls golf team have ever won State. This was also achieved on a year the boys team also took home the State title for the second year in a row.
“You can’t imagine how excited I am,” captain senior Kaylin Terry said. “I’m so proud of my team. We’re all so close and we couldn’t have done it without each other. Everyone stepped up when we needed them to, and no one ever gave up. We knew from past experience winning State would take everyone playing well. It has been a team effort all year and winning State is a dream come true.”
