The Socorro Lady Warriors golf team poses with their tropies and medals. From left are coach Margaret Stanley-Gonzales, Haley Raymond, Kayla Cline, Brittni Romero and Brittani Webb.
Senior Kayla Cline won her fifth individual district title, a state record, while the girls’ team won its fourth-straight team title.
All four girls were named to the all-district team by virtue of finishing in the top 10.
Haley Raymond shot her best round of the year (81) and finished second. Brittani Webb (106) was tied for fifth and Brittni Romero (115) was 10th.
The girls scored 378, well ahead of Hot Springs (410). However, the defending state champion Lady Warriors are the No. 3 seed headed into the state tourney.
Lovington is the top seed and Hot Springs is No. 2.
“We’ll let our clubs do the talking next week,” said girls coach Margaret Stanley-Gonzales, who was named coach of the year. “We are working on course management and how to play smarter and how to avoid trouble.”
She said the New Mexico State University Golf Course plays long and narrow, with significant elevation changes.
For the first time this year, all five Socorro boys shot under 90, but Ruidoso ran away with the title, shooting 313 to Socorro’s 339.
Sophomore Ryan Romero (82) tied for fifth. Senior Brian Stanley shot his best round of the year (84) and tied for seventh. Nathan Vega (85) tied for ninth. Joe Carilli shot 88 and Randall Romero shot 89.
“Ryan was disappointed with his score, but that course doesn’t fit his game,” coach Russ Moore said. “He only hit driver once and when he was still hitting his irons through the doglegs. New Mexico State is a completely different course and he’ll score better there.”
Stanley is peaking at the right time. The senior has become a bit less busy lately. Stanley competed in (and won) the state MESA competition two weeks ago. The valedictorian has also finished his high school exams (although he has tests at New Mexico Tech).
“Brian’s been improving all year,” Moore said. “He’s getting comfortable with tournament play and he has confidence that he can score. The pressure is off.”
Well, not all the pressure. Moore has convened morning practices at 6:30 a.m., in addition to two-hour afternoon practices.
“We’re stressing practice right now,” Moore said. “This is how we peak. Come tournament time Monday, I will have a bunch of hungry young players who are ready to play golf as opposed to practice.”
The boys’ goal to start the year was to earn a berth in the state tournament.
“Now our goal is to finish in the top three and win a trophy,” Moore said.
