The Mustangs dominate the Region 6 tournament, winning by 35 strokes and setting a season best.
By RODNEY PAGE
Published October 26, 2004
LARGO - In two trips to the Class A girls state golf tournament, Northside Christian was just happy to have two days off from school.
But after qualifying for state for a third straight time Monday at the Region 6 tournament, the Mustangs have their sights set on a championship.
That goal seems within reach after Northside Christian smoked the field with a 296 team score at the 5,143-yard Belleview Biltmore Golf Club.
It is the first time this season the Mustangs broke 300.
"I think we have a chance to win the whole thing," junior Danielle Jackson said. "We were the lowest team at the districts, and now we are the lowest team at the regionals. Hopefully we can bring home the trophy."
The Mustangs have plenty of talent to bring home the championship, which begins Monday in Port St. Lucie. Jackson and Dakoda Dowd both shot 1-over-par 72. Whitney Wenglasz was one shot behind and Sophie Dembroski shot 79. Morgan Jackson's respectable 82 did not count toward the team score.
North Port finished second at 331 and earned the other berth in the state tournament. Fort Myers' Canterbury's Michelle Shin was the medalist at 70 to make state.
Indian Rocks Christian was the only other area team that qualified for this region. It shot 445 and finished sixth. Emily Boyer (80) was the Eagles' top player. Shorecrest's Jessica Richardson shot 84 as an individual qualifier.
Northside Christian, which also won the district tournament at Belleview Biltmore, hopes to take the momentum of the previous two weeks to the state tournament.
If Monday is any indication, the Mustangs have a good chance.
"Three years ago I'm not sure I would've thought this was possible," Northside Christian coach D.J. Jackson said. "But the girls kept getting better and better. They've been very consistent all season."
