The Brownsville Veterans Memorial boys and girls golf teams claimed the District 32-5A championships to advance to the regional tournament.
Both teams swept the medals and floated to the top handily. The top two teams and top two finishers not on a winning team advance to the regional tournaments.
“This group of athletes have been preparing for district since Day 1 and since last year’s season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Brownsville Veterans coach Thomas Abete said. “They had a fire in their eyes from the start. They have been focusing on committing and executing golf shots with confidence, and it really showed out there.”
Alex Ramirez led the Chargers, shooting a combined 150 to take the individual title. Christian Ramirez (152) and Raul Silva (155) rounded out the top three. Gonzalo de la Lastra and Aidan Nieto finished in the top 10 to keep BVM’s two-day team total low at 644.
Alli Yzaguirre shot a 179 to win the girls individual title. Dubelsa Villarreal and Rebecca Rodriguez both shot a 180, and Villarreal won the playoff to take second. Fabiola Nino also was a top 10 finisher to help the Lady Chargers notch a two-day team total of 725 and pick up a comfortable championship.
“It’s great to see their hard work pay off,” Abete said. “This was a total team effort for both boys and girls teams. We look forward to competing at the regional level and wish the best of luck to all other 32-5A athletes who qualified as well.”
The Brownsville Porter Cowgirls shot a combined 877 to take second place and advance as a team to the regional tournament. Atriana Anderson and Yessenia Medellin led the charge and finished in the top 10.
Brownsville Lopez’s Natalie Ramirez shot a 189 to finish sixth and qualify as an individual for the girls regional tournament.
The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons have been a dominant golf program for the past few years, and they kept that going at the district meet. The Lady Falcons placed both teams in the top three, with the A team shooting a 633 to take the district championship and qualify for the regional tournament, and the B team finishing third with a 761.
“We are building a culture here in Los Fresnos, and as the coach I’m just happy to see it realized,” Los Fresnos coach Luis Gonzalez said. “My B team, they’re not a B team. They’re a Los Fresnos second team. They’re ready to play and perform, and I’m really grateful for those kids because no matter what team they are they know the expectations. … This year has been a challenge due to COVID, but the girls have stayed focused on a goal.”
Los Fresnos’ Natali Barrera shot a 152 and took second place in the individual standings. Gabriana Garrido, Allison McGinnis, Ariana Garza and Gianna Granado were other Los Fresnos A top 10 finishers. Los Fresnos B had Jennifer Laznovsky and Katelyn Barrera place in the top 10. Laznovsky will be moving on to the regional as an individual.
“Our senior captain, Natali Barrera, is leading a team that has been seasoned in out-of-Valley play,” Gonzalez said. “We have built a team that is at the top of their academic class. They strive to achieve in the classroom and on the course. I count on their decision-making skills to manage the game. It’s been many years that we have sought the regional golf course. We are competing against good teams. … I may not know the future, but with these girls, I’d walk into any challenge.”
The Harlingen High Lady Cardinals had two girls, Isabella Bullock and Reagan Ramirez, place in the top 10. Bullock earned third place with a 155 to advance to the regional as an individual.
The competition was stout in the District 32-6A boys tournament. The Harlingen High Cardinals edged out a win over Harlingen South A, with Nate Newman and Parker Smith once again leading the way.
Harlingen High had a combined two-day team total of 618 to take the district championship. Harlingen South A finished second with a 622. Both teams will be moving on to the regional tournament.
Newman shot a 143 to win the individual title. Smith and Harlingen South A’s Jeffrey Janik both finished with a two-day total of 152, and Smith claimed second by winning the playoff.
Harlingen South A had three other golfers place in the top 10. Malachi Pena won a playoff for fourth, Javier Vento finished sixth and Nolan Garrison was seventh. Harlingen South B’s James Abbott qualified for the regional as an individual.
Harlingen High’s Jacob Fonseca was eighth and Rex Halford of Los Fresnos took 10th. The Los Fresnos Falcons were third as a team and Harlingen South B finished fourth to stay in the top five.
