Golf title streak ends, Xavier finishes second

Xavier Prep’s Gators gave it all they had, but a ninth straight state golf championship was not to be, and the team will have to wait a year for another attempt at the school’s 37^th title overall.

Xavier finished in second place behind a strong Phoenix Pinnacle team after Tuesday’s (Nov. 5) final round of the Division I state tournament at the Omni Tucson National ‘s Sonoran Course.

Xavier was 16 shots behind the Pioneers, who had four players in the top 10. Xavier senior star Ashley Menne, who won the state individual title on three previous occasions, fell just short in  her bid for No. 4. Menne finished in second place, like her team, and was one shot behind champion Joy Callinan, a senior at Chandler Hamilton.

Callinan’s effort allowed Hamilton to finish third, six shots behind Xavier.

“Our girls had good scores but Pinnacle shot very well for two days to win it,’’ said Xavier co-head coach (with Tui Selvaratnam) and Athletic Director Sr. Lynn Winsor. “It was a great season. We are so proud of our girls.’’

Menne was the only Gator to finish under par (142 for two days) at 6-under. Senior Breyana Matthews, who will join Menne at Arizona State next year, was next in line at 5-over. Junior Mary Beth Doss was at 7-over, and sophomore Ivy Song and freshman Annie Dawson were both at 8-over.

Team standings (in order): Phoenix Pinnacle, Xavier Prep, Chandler Hamilton, Gilbert Highland, Mesa Red Mountain, Peoria Liberty, Phoenix Desert Vista, Anthem Boulder Creek, Tempe Corona del Sol, Gilbert Perry, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, Glendale Mountain Ridge and Mesa Mountain View.