Under normal conditions, East Union’s girls golf team wouldn’t be satisfied with its score from Monday’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Tournament played at Stockton’s Elkhorn Golf Club.
Conditions were anything but normal, but the team that normally wins this tournament won it again.
The favored Lancers battled through rain, wind and an hour-long delay to lock up their sixth section championship in seven years. Led by freshman Brooke Riley’s low-medalist score of 10-over 81, East Union had four players earn all-tournament honors.
The Lancers’ 484 score is impressive when compared with the rest of the field’s. Runner-up Central Catholic tallied a 609, Union Mine placed third with a 609 and Valley Oak League rival Sonora was fourth with a 615. Vista del Lago (618), Kimball (628), Ceres (709) and Livingston (736) were also part of the team competition.
East Union and three individuals qualify for next week’s SJS Masters Tournament.
“The girls battled through the freezing cold and it was windy and rainy,” said EU co-head coach Brian Goulart, who doubled as the tournament director. “Under the conditions they played tremendously good golf.”
It’s the second postseason tournament in a row won by Riley, the VOL champion and MVP. Angelique Cardoza (93), Brittany Ugalino (97) and Jordan Vinson (100) also earned individual medals for placing in the top six overall. Kimmy LaMar carded a 113 to round out the team’s score.
Goulart said Riley stepped her game up another notch on Monday.
“Watching her play, (co-head coach Dennis Wells) and I noticed how focused she was,” Goulart said. “Everybody was talking about a girl who shot a 69 at her league tournament last week, and she was in Brooke’s group. (Riley) took that challenge on, and I’ve never seen that singular focus from her. It was impressive. She looked like a senior today.”
Weston Ranch senior Jonelle Mungcal placed ninth overall with a 104 and was two spots away from having a chance to advance to Masters. Manteca High’s Kaylee Grimes turned in a 114. Sierra’s Lexus Barnes finished with a 113, and teammate Elia Vasquez had a 130.
