Socorro is headed to the Class 3A state golf tournament after the Lady Warriors won the District 3-3A title, and the Warriors were second at Picacho Hills Country Club in Las Cruces on Monday.
There will be little traveling with NM Tech hosting the tournament in Socorro on Monday and Tuesday of next week, which plays in the favor of both teams. The Lady Warriors seek their fourth consecutive state title, and the Warriors are looking to improve on last season’s second-place finish.
Both teams’ performances at Picacho Hills were paced by individual district titles by Natasha Apodaca (85) and Isaiah Silva, who shot an 80.
The Lady Warriors claimed three of the top four spots, and all of their players were in the top eight.
With the state tournament just five days away, it’s back to the grindstone for Socorro.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Lady Warrior coach Kristen Griego said. “Some tightening up here and there. Each kid is different; for some, it’s mental, and for others, it’s ball striking – we’re kind of all over the place right now.”
Both teams are young. Apodaca is a sophomore, Silva is a freshman, and five of the two teams’ golfers are 8-9th graders.
That’s terrible news for 3A golf teams, as the most dominant golf teams in state history are only going to get better over the next few years. With the Lady Warriors as the standing three-time defending champions, the only motivation the Warriors need goes to school with them on a daily basis.
“I don’t really have to do too much of it (motivation). They see it every year. The boys see the girls’ success. They see what the girls can do, and they want to get to do the same things. They want those rings. So, they’re motivated,” Warrior coach Miguel Griego said.
Girls’ individual results – 1. Natasha Apodaca 85, 2. Ariana Crespin 101, 4. Abbegail Munguia 117, 7. Avery Timmons, 8. Kailyn Woods. Team scores – 1. Socorro 432, Cliff 525, Mescalero Apache +121
Boys’ individual results – 1. Isaiah Silva 80, 9. Tavin Benavidez 99, Ian Gonzales 101, 13. Andrew Moellenbrock, 19. I’nyn Romero 121.
