OCVarsity’s season-opening girls golf top 10:
O.C. TOP 10
1. University: The Trojans, who finished third last year in the Southern Division Regional, have several top players returning, including Samantha Cabunag. Cabunag, Dana Choi, Nodoka Honda and Coco Yang each posted an even-par 35 at Aliso Viejo Country Club to help University finish 1-over-par as a team in beating Aliso Niguel, 176-204, last month.
2. Beckman: The Patriots return every member of the team that won the Pacific Coast League championship last season, including senior Cameron Lee, a WSCGA Souther State Regional qualifier. The Patriots have three returning all-league players – Lee, Nadia Susanto and Priscilla Ki.
3. Corona del Mar: The Sea Kings feature one of the nation’s top junior golfers, Alyaa Abdulghany, who was USA Today’s national player of the year in 2015-16. She is fourth in the AJGA national rankings. Sophomore Celine Niu is coming off a victory in the Costa Mesa Championship last month.
4. Trabuco Hills: The Mustangs have won all five of their matches this season, breaking 200 in all but one of those wins. Christy Saban, Brittney Raymoundo, Hailey Borja and Rachel Reynolds have each medaled for the Mustangs.
5. Troy: The Warriors are poised to make their 10th consecutive trip to the CIF-SS team regionals. They return Beth Lille and three-year varsity starter Hannah Ro. With Kamryn Garcia moving up from JV and Kaylee Sakoda, who routinely shoots in the 30s, in the starting rotation, the Warriors will be one of the deepest teams in the county.
6. Dana Hills: The Dolphins won their first two matches of the season and Joan Soewondo and Isley Grguric earned medalist honors in the triumphs. Soewondo qualified for the WSCGA Southern State Regional the past two seasons.
7. Santa Margarita: The Eagles return the core of last season’s team that went 14-0 while winning the Trinity League championship. Junior Rylie Edwards won the league championship tournament last season, and Kiara Boggs was a four-time medalist.
8. Foothill: Katie Stribling and Emily Sumner, who each posted a score in the 70s in the CIF-SS Individual championship last season, return to lead a strong group of talented starters.
9. Huntington Beach: The Oilers appear to have more depth this season. Coach Melanie McCaffery said freshman Vanessa Betancourt has the potential to be all-league this season. Abby Cahill was a first-team, all-league selection last year for the Sunset League champions.
10. Rosary: The Royals finished second in the Rosary Shotgun last week. Chayse Gomez earned medalist honors in the nine-hole tournament, posting an even-par 35 at Western Hills Country Club. Senior Caroline Cantlay placed second with a 37.
On the bubble: Marina, Mater Dei, Los Alamitos, Aliso Niguel.
RELATED LINKS
- Girls golf preview: Top players to watch
- Girls golf preview: O.C. top 10
- Rosary’s Cantlay charges into season with high expectations
- Girls golf preview: Other players to watch
Contact the writer: ddottore@scng.com
