Golf: Andrews shoots to win I-3A girls title

There is a clear-cut favorite as the Region I-3A Girls Golf Championships tee off today at Nueva Vista Golf Club in Midland, but not much else appears certain.

Andrews will trot out four players - seniors Addison Long, Jennifer Joyce, Kaylan Brownlee and Desiree Gallegos - from last year's Region I-3A championship and Class 3A state title teams.

Junior Morgan Dockery is the lone newcomer to the top five, and all she did to show that she belongs was finish second in the medalist standings in the District 3-3A Tournament earlier this month with consecutive rounds in the 70s on the same Nueva Vista course.

"One thing I talked about earlier with the girls is once we hit the UIL season - district and regionals - there's no guarantees of getting to the next level, so we've got to go out there and take care of business," Andrews coach Mark Burgen said.

"Winning would be what we're shooting for, but we'll still take second place but that would advance us, also," he said. "The goal is to advance. If we happen to win it, that's just an extra feather in our hat. Of course, and I'm saying this not from a conceited standpoint but one more of confidence, we're going to expect to win if we play the way we're supposed to play."

The top two teams and the top two medalists on non-qualifying teams after two rounds advance to the UIL Class 3A State Championships.

Anything other than an Andrews victory would be unexpected, though players from teams including Monahans, Snyder, Seminole and Graham could make a push and figure to make for quite an interesting race to determine the runner-up position.

Monahans has played well enough all season to be considered a favorite for one of the top two team spots, and all five of its players played at the regional tournament last season. Shelby Hill, Jordan Jernigan and Victoria Moore all played for the Lady Loboes' third-place team last year, while Courtney Rutledge and Allison Parks played on the Monahans B team that also qualified for regionals.

Monahans qualified two teams again this season, creating an atmosphere in the program that should lend to playing well.

"We are ready and a little anxious to get going and play again," Monahans coach Becky Hix said. "I think we're as ready as we're ever going to be. Our girls have got plenty of experience, and they've just got to go out and play when it counts. You can post good scores throughout the year, but you've got to do it when it counts."

Monahans is shooting for its first team berth to the state tournament since 2004, when it won the Region I-3A title.

Snyder, which won Class 3A state titles in 2003, 2005 and 2006, has not missed the state tournament as a team since 1993. The school had a run of consecutive state appearances from 1994-2002 in Class 4A.

Seminole is led by the one-two punch of Crystal Caviness and Samantha Soto, and the Lady Indians could be a factor if other players shoot solid numbers.

Bridgeport's Candace Brister should be among the top challengers for the medalist title.

Region I-3A Girls

First Round

Today

At Nueva Vista Golf Club, Midland

No. 1 Tee
1 p.m.  - Kaitlyn Gilbreath, Andrews B; Lauren Spence, Decatur; Corlee Priestly, Dalhart; Tatum Windham, Pecos.
1:10 p.m.  - Mareli vasquez, Lamesa; Rica Pino, Pecos; Sierra Strait, Gainsville; Ashley Snyder, Graham B.
1:20 p.m.  - Kassidy Ketron, Seminole; Dandy Shinn, Bridgeport; Allison Cariker, Wylie; Lexee Cleckler, Sweetwater.
1:30 p.m.  - Jordan Hawkins, Seminole; Alyssa McComis, Bridgeport; Brittany Alvarez, Wylie; Jordan Graham, Sweetwater.
1:40 p.m.  - Morgan Dugger, Seminole; Paige Walker; Bridgeport; Kandace Cooper, Wylie; Sarah Combie, Sweetwater.
1:50 p.m.  - Samantha Soto, Seminole; Ashton Walling; Bridgeport; Ashleigh Alvarez, Wylie; Kendra Chowning, Sweetwater.
2 p.m.  - Crystal Caviness, Seminole; Candace Brister, Bridgeport; Karin Borg, Wylie; Ashley Timm, Sweetwater.
2:10 p.m.  - Desiree Gallegos, Andrews; Assison Parks, Monahans A; Aryn May, Snyder; Maddie Miller, Graham.
2:20 p.m.  - Jennifer Joyce, Andrews; Victoria Moore, Monahans A; Kayli Brewster, Snyder; Morgan Reed, Graham.
2:30 p.m.  - Kaylan Brownlee, Andrews; Courtney Rutledge; Monahans A; Kelby Seale, Snyder; Lauren Bryant, Graham.
2:40 p.m.  - Morgan Dockery, Andrews; Jordan Jernigan, Monahans A; Tatum Norwood, Snyder; McKenn Walker, Graham.
2:50 p.m.  - Addison Long, Andrews; Shelbye Hill, Monahans A; Allison Sharrock, Snyder; Cyndi Joyner, Graham.

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No. 10 Tee
1 p.m.  - Treanne Turner, Dalhart; Krystally Robinson, Vernon; Heather Love, Wylie B; Jodie May, Sweetwater B.
1:10 p.m.  - Morgan Abbott, Lubbock; Courtney Layton, Seminole B; Rebekka Trussell, Clint B; Kimberly Denn, Clint B.
1:20 p.m.  - Emily Sifuentes, Levelland; Kylie Owen, Clint A; Lacey Spigner, Sanger.
1:30 p.m.  - Maggie Tucker, Levelland; Ashley Grijalva, Clint A; Lauren Staten, Sanger; Elizabeth Garcia, Fabens.
1:40 p.m.  - Mackenzie Macha, Levelland; Rocio Chavez, Clint A; Marissa Newton, Sanger; Olivia Bridgeman, Fabens.
1:50 p.m.  - Baily Brashear, Levelland; Gabby Abila, Clint A; Kaylee Byington, Sanger; Stephanie Dickson, Fabens.
2 p.m.  - Alex Myatt, Levelland; Jessie Cline, Clint A; Briley Garrett, Sanger; Jolene Lettunich, Fabens.
2:10 p.m.  - Amy Rose, Monahans B; Ashley McKinney, Borger; Charity Logan, Canyon.
2:20 p.m.  - Rachel Santiago, Monahans B; Shianne Harlan; Burkburnett; Carlie Riddle, Borger; Stephanie Hedges, Canyon.
2:30 p.m.  - Brittany West, Monahans B; Taylor butler, Burkburnett; Whitney Swender, Borger; Halee Cross, Canyon.
2:40 p.m.  - Quen Carter, Monahans B; Kristi Pickett, Burkburnett; Kelsey Cosebec, Borger; Katelyn Avery, Canyon.
2:50 p.m.  - Erin Fisher, Monahans B; Brenna Moore, Burkburnett; Shelby Carter, Borger; Emily Neufeld, Canyon.