Clear Lake golfers turn to regionals

Posted April 5, 2016


Clear Lake golfers turn to regionals

In sports, everyone says streaks are made to be broken. Somebody has yet to tell Clear Lake's girls golf team.

Two weeks ago Clear Lake went into the District 24-6A championships hoping to extend an impressive run of titles. The Falcons did exactly that, winning their district for the 17th year in a row.

It might seem like old hat at this point, but coach Karolyn Criado that is far from the case. Winning the district title is the team's first goal every season.

"There is a lot of pride and tradition in keeping that streak going," Criado said. "They do not want to be the group that has that streak fall."

The Falcons have had runaway titles and close calls. The one they won at Galveston Country Club on March 24 was a little of both. They were tied for third and one shot off the shared lead after the first round. Clear Lake blew away the competition in the second round to win by 19 strokes.

Clear Lake scored 698. Clear Creek finished second at 717. Clear Springs (733) and Clear Falls (752) were tied for first place after the first round before faltering.

The Falcons' players improved by an average of seven shots apiece from the first round to the second. The four low scores in the second round were between 81 and 85.

"There is a lot of pressure to keep the streak going," Criado said. "Maybe they put too much on themselves on the first day. On the second day they relaxed and just did what was in their power. They stayed within themselves and played their game."

Senior Kari Bush, a Sam Houston State signee, led Clear Lake with a fourth-place finish. Her teammates all finished in the top nine. Macy Williams was fifth, Jocelyn See sixth, Elise Tanzberger seventh and Stephanie Banach ninth.

Now Clear Lake turns its focus to the Region III-6A championships, which will be held Monday and Tuesday in Mont Belvieu. The Falcons were close to qualifying for the state tournament last year. This year they want to get over the hump.

"It's been two years since we've been able to go as a team," Criado said. "It's definitely something we want to get back to. It's what motivates us after district."