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Damian Dottore. Sports. HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – Gabriella Montano is a perfect example of why Trabuco Hills has become the No. 1 girls golf team in Orange County and a serious threat to challenge for a CIF-SS Regional championship.

Last year, she used to shoot in the low 40s in most of the Mustangs’ matches, but during the off season she spent a lot of time on the range, and she is routinely posting scores in the 30s.

On Tuesday, her even-par 36 on the back nine at Tijeras Creek Golf Club helped the No. 1 Mustangs post their best round in school history in beating South Coast League rival Dana Hills, 190-208.

Montana, though, is not alone. Trabuco Hills coach Stephen Miller said all his girls spent hours working on their games during the off season, and as a result the worst score that the Mustangs posted on Tuesday was a 42.

“Why are we so good this year? Work ethic,” he said. “They have all gotten better from working and playing.”

Three of the five scoring Trabuco Hills players posted a score in the 30s on Tuesday with Rachel Reynolds added a 37 and Hailey Borja sharing medalist honors with Dana Hills senior Joan Soewondo after shooting a 2-under-par 34.

“We are such a great team because we have bonded so well together, and that is how we have succeeded together,” Borja said. “I knew it was going to be a great season for us.”

The Mustangs are off to the best start in school history, winning their first 13 matches of the season. With only five matches remaining, the Mustangs are beginning to close in on a perfect season.

“I didn’t expect this. It is better than I thought we would do,” Borja said. “I would like to go undefeated, but it depends on how we play for the rest of the season. We can still do better if we work harder but we are doing the best we can right now.”

Miller said

After finishing eighth in a CIF-SS regional last year, Miller said he set two goals for the team: winning the league championship and finishing in the top five. Both appear to be attainable as the Mustangs returned everyone from last years CIF lineup, and have broken 200 nine times, leaving them with a 199.7 nine-hole scoring average.

“So far they have been working hard to keep both of those goals alive,” Miller said. “We have nine girls that are dedicated to playing. They love playing golf. They love each other. And they really work hard.”

Contact the reporter: ddottore@scng.com