Arizona high school girls’ golf is nearing the end of its fall 2024 season. The Xavier Gators are looking like the team to beat once again in Division I, with Casteel and Pinnacle among the top challengers. The Division II state tournament tees off on Monday, Oct. 28, and Division I on Nov. 4.
Tournament Information
The two-day tournaments showcase 78 qualified players: 12 teams and 18 individuals. It takes place at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen Village. The price of admission is $15, and children five and under for free.
Qualification
In order to qualify, a school must have competed in a minimum of seven rounds. Each team’s best seven rounds will be used for qualification purposes. The top 12 ranked teams regardless of section finish will automatically qualify for the state tournament. The automatic qualifiers will be determined by the team’s iWanamaker (iWr) rankings, which are based on a formula that includes team scores.
Individual state tournament qualifiers must have competed in a minimum of seven rounds, with her best seven accounted for qualification. The top 18 individuals not on a qualifying team based on their iWr at the conclusion of the regular season will advance to the state tournament.
Here is an updated look at the top 10 teams this week based on iWanamaker rankings. Team rankings are determined by player scores during 9-hole stroke play events and include both D-I and D-II teams.
1. Xavier
The Gators are the defending D-I champions and are poised for another run to the title behind sophomore Alexis Lamadrid and junior Isabella Piazza, iWanamaker’s No. 5 and 6 ranked golfers in the state.
2. Casteel
No surprise to find the defending D-II champions take the No. 2 slot. The Colts had two golfers finish in the top five individually during last year’s tournament, Julia Herzberg and Jordan Cowing. Herzberg is ranked No. 3 in Arizona, and she and the Colts will strive for that title once again next week.
3. Pinnacle
The Pioneers were second from the top behind Xavier’s dominant performance in the D-I championships last year. A freshman at the time, Kaitlyn Moreland shot 4-under to tie for second place individually. In her sophomore season, she is iWanamaker’s No. 4 golfer in Arizona and will strive to push Pinnacle past the Gators in this year’s tournament.
4. Cactus Shadows
The Falcons were edged out by Casteel by just two strokes in last year’s D-II tournament in what would have been a repeat of their 2022 state championship. Behind junior Charlene Lamb, Cactus Shadows will be fighting for another taste of victory next week.
5. Chaparral
Chaparral was home to the D-II individual champion last year, Raegan Capizzi in her senior season. Isabel Helgemoe will strive to carry on Capizzi’s legacy and lead the Firebirds to a championship.
6. Seton Catholic Prep
The Sentinels rounded off the top five of the 2023 D-II state tournament, but are having a great season so far and find themselves as the fourth D-II school heading into next week. Cynthia Lang leads the way for Seton.
7. Liberty
As just a freshman, Natalia Fox is iWanamaker’s No. 14 ranked golfer in Arizona.
8. Red Mountain
It will not be an easy task to beat the top Division I teams, but the Mountain Lions have more experience this year. Catherine Seder had a great freshman season and was iWanamaker’s No. 20 golfer as a sophomore.
9. Desert Vista
The Thunder placed 7th in last year’s D-I tournament, ahead of both Liberty and Red Mountain. Sophomore Jacqueline Michael and senior Madeleine Nguyen will strive to make some noise for Desert Vista again.
10. Notre Dame Prep
Senior Makenna Cox is ranked No. 11 by iWanamaker this week and in last year’s tournament, placed 9th overall. Cox will hope to bring the Saints a state title when they tee off in the D-II tournament next week.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Top 10 Arizona high school girls golf teams ahead of state championships
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