Lady Warriors Hold On To Win

By John Severance

SOCORRO –
The scores got posted. Socorro girls golf coach Margaret Stanley did some good quick math. And then she breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The Lady Warriors won their sixth straight district title, winning by nine strokes over Hot Springs at New Mexico Tech Monday.
Socorro will now spend the week getting ready for the state tournament, which will be Monday and Tuesday of next week. The Lady Warriors have won the past three state championships.
“My number five player (Mirjana Gacanich) hit the ball well and scored well and pulled through,” Stanley said. “My number one player, Kristen Cline, I am very proud of her, winning medalist here and Shania did a good job at No. 2. Brittani (Webb), I know is disappointed in her round, but she will bounce back.
“The girls felt the pressure of district competition. This is the first time they have been tested. They put pressure on themselves and they fought through it.”
It was a good experience for the Lady Warriors, Stanley said, because next week, the pressure will be even greater.
Cline won medalist and district player of the year honors after shooting an 80 to win by five shots over teammate Berger. Webb shot a 94 and Gacanich contributed a 101. Teresa Chavez had a 119 to round out the scoring.
As a team, Socorro shot a 362 and Hot Springs was the closest competition with a 371.
Asked what team she fears the most next week, Stanley said, “T or C.”
Hot Springs was led by Erin Whitehead with an 86. Casandra Ford shot a 93, Karah Tooley added a 95 and Sara Whitehead had a 97 for Hot Springs.
“There will be eight teams competing and 48 girls individually,” Stanley said. “We have a pretty strong field.”
In the meantime, the Lady Warriors will fine tune their games for the state tournament.
“Each of the girls have to work on things and we have to work on particular holes that gave us trouble today,” Stanley said. “The girls had problems on the fifth hole and the 16th hole. You need a good solid tee shot on both and then you have to maneuver your way around the water. The girls had their problems with that.
“All the girls have been working hard and coming out here by themselves and working on their games. I think all five will be ready for next week.”

Photo by John Severance

Lady Warriors Hold On To Win