Valley girls golfers begin regional competition

HARLINGEN — Rio Grande Valley girls golfers competed in the opening round of their respective regional tournaments Wednesday.

The top three teams and top three individuals not on the top three teams in each class qualify for the state tournament.

At the Region IV-6A tournament, Los Fresnos’ Ariana Garza (82), Allison McGinnis (84), Gabriana Garrido (89), Jennifer Laznovsky (89) and Katelyn Barrera (90) are not out of the qualifying race but need a strong day today to catch up with the top three. The girls trail that last state qualifying spot by 35 strokes.

Edinburg Vela’s Erika Romero (93), Amber Martin (94), Taylor Palacios (105), Amanda Tinoco (111), Rita Cruz (116), and Edinburg High’s Vanessa Salinas (94), Shelby Celedon (105), Audrey Leija (102) and Ashley Garcia (130) represented District 31-6A.

Weslaco High’s Jazlyn Segura (80), Janelle Castillo (93) and Nicole Feeney (100) are the second-place team from District 32-6A. Segura has a chance to qualify individually, as a solid amount of girls who are in the high 70s and low 80s will battle for individual spots today.

Harlingen High’s Reagan Ramirez (93), Edinburg North’s Emilia Rodriguez (95), PSJA’s Kassandra Monroy (101) and Los Fresnos’ Camila Calderon (113) also competed from the Valley.

Sharyland High is in fourth place in the Region IV-5A tournament, one stroke behind third place after the first day. Carolina Tirado (81), Ximena Paz (82), Ivana Silva (87), Arianna Vela (89) and Brianna Vela (95) are on the team.

McAllen High’s Samira Salinas (77) will be one to watch today. She is in ninth place and one stroke behind the final individual qualifying place.

Sharyland Pioneer finished the day in sixth, 27 strokes behind third. Joslyn Lopez (79), Gabriela Astorga (93), Ritzy Dominguez (95), Victoria Sandoval (98) and Alyssa Cedillo (115) are on the team. Lopez is tied for 11th and is in contention for an individual qualifying spot.

Brownsville Veterans Memorial, the District 32-5A champion, is in ninth place. District champion Rebecca Rodriguez (85) is tied for 24th. Alli Ysaguirre (90), the MVP of the district, is in 33rd. Alexis Silva (104), Adriana Gerhart (116) and Isabella Venable (132) rounded out the team.

La Joya Palmview’s Diana Vazquez (102), Belinda Cortina (104), Karyme Longoria (107), Susan Lopez (110) and Valeria Martinez (112) finished the day in 11th place.

Mission Veterans Memorial’s Kayla Rodriguez (98), Lillian Marroquin (101), Madison Davis (105), Amy Perez (121) and Victoria Olivarez (124) sit in 12th.

Brownsville Porter’s Yessenia Medellin (99), Atriana Anderson (105), Eris Hinojosa (115), Daniela Longoria (118) and Eva Hernandez (131) continue to build a foundation for their young program in 13th.

Brownsville Lopez’s Natali Ramirez (93) is tied for 34th. McAllen Memorial’s Sofia Alaniz-Choy (95), Rio Grande City’s Vanessa Garza (110) and Edcouch-Elsa’s Alexis Garcia (114) also qualified for the tournament as individuals.

At the Region IV-4A tournament, Hidalgo finished the day in 13th. Daniela Najera (110), Priscilla Duarte (112), Jennifer Garcia (113) and Priscilla Hernandez (117) are on the team.

La Feria’s Savannah Mendez (117), Vanessa Gonzalez (130), Maria Pizano (130), Jada Morales (133) and Leanna Perez (134) finished the day in 15th.

Grulla’s Karla Lopez (108) and Rio Hondo’s Jalyssa Sauceda (123) are competing as individuals.