The Juan Diego Catholic High girls golf team has placed third at the 3A state golf championships the past two years, led by senior Grayson Gagnon who earned All-State honors over that span for two individual seventh-place finishes. She is back to co-captain an experienced Soaring Eagle squad who hopes to give it another run this year.

“We’re looking forward to competing again for a state championship,” JDCHS head coach Jason Andersen, who is in his eighth year, said. “We have great players and are poised for another really strong season.”

Seniors Zoe Pappas and Lindley Whittaker, junior Abby Quercia and sophomore Bella Werner will team with “phenomenal” freshman twins Camilla and Sabrina Macias to help anchor the squad.

The focus of the offseason for the team has been course management. “We’ve got girls that can absolutely swing the club,” Andersen said. “We’re now trying to fine-tune playing the game of golf where we walk through multiple holes of playing with them and helping them talk through where they are aiming, what they are trying to accomplish and why they are thinking that way. Taking that time with them will help the girls get their games to the next level.”

Also on the JDCHS team this season are junior Lauren Foy; sophomores Camryn Wolfcale and Hadleigh Johnston; and freshman Devon Sliwa.

Andersen is being assisted on the coaching staff by Juan Diego alum Alexis Winter who played on the team five years ago.

So far this season, Juan Diego won a St. George tournament March 13-14 behind Gagnon’s medalist honors. Werner and Whittaker rounded out the top three for the Soaring Eagle team who shot 360 as a group.

At Mountain View March 20, Gagnon and Werner were co-medalists with Macias taking third and Quercia fourth. “The team did great,” Andersen said. “We shot a 331 and won.”

Juan Diego is also scheduled to compete in Region 14 tournaments at, Glendale April 8, Glenmoor April 16, Riverbend April 20, Sun Hills April 25 and Mountain View April 29. λ