Expectations high for girls high school golf

By Brent Hinckley

Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 | midnight

Boulder City High’s girls golf team believes it could bring home the school’s first state title of the 2008- ‘09 school year.

“Expectations are higher than they have been in the past,” Eagles coach Regina Quintero said.

The team has four returning players, including three seniors who all qualified for the state tournament. Seniors Ashley Vince, Margot Potter and Bethany Smith are back to lead the team. Junior Bridget Ward also returns.

“Our goal is state. We know what are competition is now and we know how to play under that pressure,” Vince said.

Potter, who tied for seventh at state, spent the summer playing in Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association tournaments to work on her game.

“I’ve played in a lot of tournaments over the summer to keep my game strong. I’m excited to play,” Potter said.

With the addition of four underclassmen and a rule change, the team won’t struggle to fill a full squad for team competitions like last season. In the past, teams played six golfers and took the top five scores. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association made a rule change that teams would play six golfers and take the top four scores.

“It’s going to help everybody, but it really helps us,” Quintero said. “Now the younger girls don’t have to worry about being the No. 3 or 4 golfer and having that pressure. It gives them a year to have fun and work on their game.”

The Eagles start the season with a league match at Mountain Falls Golf Course on Aug. 28.

Runners set to start

Junior Matt Lundgren could not wait for the high school cross country season to start.

“My goal is to be one of the top runners in the state, and I’m ready to prove myself,” Lundgren said.

He is the boys defending 3A Southern League champion, but an eighth-place finish at state wasn’t how he wanted to finish the season.

“That was disappointing. I really felt I could have done a lot better,” he said.

Lundgren leads the boys team, which returns four runners from last year’s state qualifying team.

“Matt’s very talented and pushes himself and others. The boys should be very solid this year,” coach Joe Ringen said.

Other returners include senior Brandon Roth, senior Chad Ball and sophomore Nathan Richner

The girls team also returns a number of key runners including senior Sara Richner, junior Rachel Moody and sophomore Lindsey Tobler, but is hurt by the graduation of JoJo Stanton, who finished third at state.

“She was one of the top runners in the state, but we’ve got some good, young girls coming back. I think we’ll do alright,” Ringen said.

The first cross country meet is Sept. 2 at Hemenway Park as the Eagles host Foothill, Canyon Springs and Las Vegas High.

Young tennis team hopes to be competitive

Boulder City tennis coach Eric Speaker is expecting another tough season for his team, which competes at the 4A level.

“It’s never easy, because we play in one of the toughest divisions in the state,” Speaker said. “If we can get a couple of kids to qualify for the playoffs, that’s a success.”

Tennis is not offered at the small school level, so Boulder City, Moapa Valley, The Meadows and Faith Lutheran all play in the 4A. Boulder City is in the Southeast Division along with Green Valley, Silverado and Coronado.

Evan Ceniceros was the only Eagle to qualify for the postseason last year, but his graduation leaves a lack of experience.

“We’re going to be fairly young, but a lot of these kids played last year, so they have that experience,” Speaker said.

Senior Nick Stevens is the most experienced returning player for the boys side. He was part of the No. 1 doubles team list year with Clint Donohoo, who has graduated.

The season starts on Sept. 2 at Chaparral.

Brent Hinckley is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 948-2074 or [email protected].