Teams shooting for Gaels

Bishop Gorman has won four consecutive state girls golf championships, including a 51-stroke victory last year.

But local teams enter this season with more hope of catching the Gaels.

Gorman lost four golfers to graduation, but it does return year-round competitors In-Ah Park, who placed first at state in 2006, and Nichole Corpus-Massucci, who finished 19th.

"It’s hard to tell right now," Gorman coach Kelsey McCall said when asked about this year’s top teams. "Once we get started, things start settling down and you can pick out who are the contenders.

"But In-Ah Park should be the individual to beat. She has played all summer in AJGA tournaments all over the country, and I expect her to be even tougher."

Centennial, which finished second at state last season, could be Gorman’s top competition. The Bulldogs return two seniors in Beth Burrus and Alex Borcherts, the 2006 All-Southern Nevada Player of the Year, who placed among the top four at state last season.

"Beth has been in the top three for the last two years, and Alex was in the top four last year," Centennial coach Charlie Cerrone said. "Under pressure, they’ve shown they can do it, and hopefully by the end of the year they’re shooting the way they want."

But before the Bulldogs can think about winning titles, they’ll have to contend with teams such as Arbor View, Cimarron-Memorial and Palo Verde in the Northwest Division.

Southwest Division teams Gorman, Sierra Vista and Bonanza should contend with the top Northwest teams for the Sunset Region crown.

"(Gorman) will have a solid team again," Cerrone said. "But I take the approach that you’re playing the course; you don’t want to play the other team."

Centennial finished ahead of runner-up Cimarron in the Northwest last season, but the Spartans have seven seniors this year. Three-time state qualifier Sydney Mack, who tied for 11th at state in 2006, and two-time qualifier Chelsea Williams lead the team.

"We’re hoping to go to regions as a team and see what happens from there," Cimarron coach John Nelson said.

Coronado finished third at state and was the top team in the Sunrise Region last year, but the Cougars return just one starter in Sunrise champion Bethany Glassford, who placed second at state.

Coronado coach Joe Sawaia is glad to have Glassford back but knows her presence alone isn’t enough to combat the depth of Southeast Division rivals Green Valley and Silverado, which boasts three returning state qualifiers in Stephanie Whatley, Brittany Rizzetto and Tameka Demps.

"Silverado has got the best top three," Sawaia said. "They would have to be the favorites if they have anyone else to help support them."