Menne Aguila golf medalist, Gators finish 3rd

Senior Ashley Menne took medalist honors and Xavier Prep’s golf team finished third out of 10 teams in the annual Aguila Invitational on Friday (Sept. 20) and Saturday (Sept. 21) at the Aguila Golf Course in Laveen.

Menne shot a 4-under-par 68 in the opening round and a 2-under 70 in the final round to finish four shots ahead of runners-up Calynne Rosholt of Cave Creek Cactus Shadows and Madeline Laux of Goodyear Millennium.

“The talented golfers in this year’s Aguila were many, but Ashley held steady and won,’’ said Xavier Athletic Director and co-head coach Sr. Lynn Winsor.

“Her calm demeanor and confidence brought her from two behind at one point to a 4-stroke victory. As coaches, we (Winsor and co-head coach Tui Selvaratnam) are so proud of her grit and determination to get medalist.’’

The Gators led after the first round, but winner Phoenix Pinnacle and second-place Cactus Shadows had strong efforts on the final day.

The team finish was Pinnacle (20 over par), Cactus Shadows (21), Xavier (25), Millennium (39), Phoenix Desert Vista (106), Phoenix Horizon (119), Gilber Perry (129), Scottsdale Chaparral (245) and Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep (293).

Xavier’s five other individuals among the 58 golfers were sophomore Ivy Song (3-over, tied for 6^th), senior Breyana Matthews (9-over, tied for 14^th), junior Mary Beth Doss (19-over, 23^rd), freshman Annie Dawson (20-over, 24^th), and senior Danae Bravo (53-over, 38^th).

The Gators will play again on Monday (Sept. 23) in a three-way match with Chandler Hamilton and Chaparral at the Springfield Golf Resort in south Chandler.