On the first day of the FHSAA Class 1A golf state finals at Mission Inn Golf Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, only two teams shot under par.
They were both Orlando area teams that sit on top of the standings with 18 holes to go on Saturday.
Perennial contender The First Academy shot 1-under-par 287 on the boys side for a one shot lead over another powerhouse, Benjamin School of Palm Beach Gardens. Circle Christian sits just two shots back in third on the El Campeon Course.
The Circle Christian girls are in the lead. They carried over momentum from district and regional play and shot 3-under 281.
Seniors Ana Boone (67) and Isabella Dovhey (69) led the way for the Centurions, who took an eight-shot lead over FAU of Boca Raton and defending girls champ Montverde Academy, which are tied for second with 289.
Circle Christian shot a school-record 271 in district play and 287 in their region meet — winning both tournaments.
“The girls have a lot of confidence after district and region,” Centurions’ coach Allyson Kotes said. “We had five solid scores today with a good plan from our practice round.”
Young aces aim for FHSAA golf state championships at Mission Resort
Nicole Sardinha shot 71, and Angelina Pacheco had a 74 for a group that has played together since before high school.
“They’re all known each other since junior golf and have great team chemistry,” Kotes added.
Boone’s 67 sits on top of the individual standings with Dovhey in third. Windermere Prep’s Ava Zhang shot 70 to help the Lakers shoot 293 for fourth. Montverde’s Man (Cynthia) Yang also shot 70.
TFA’s boys are in a familiar position in a tight race at state with Benjamin. Two years ago, the Royals and Buccaneers went down to the last hole with Benjamin edging TFA for the title.
“We played the course exactly the way we hoped coming in,” TFA coach Robin Rosado said. “The front nine is extremely difficult.”
Royals’ senior Mingbo Jiang shot 4-under-par 68 to tie Benjamin’s Andrew Tsar for first individually. Three local golfers are tied for third.
Circle Christian’s Karl Stenson, Montverde’s Byungchan Yoon and Windermere Prep’s Chase Bauer each shot 69, while defending individual champ, Luke Gossett, shot a bogey-free 70 for the Centurions.
“I like our position two shots back and we’re excited about tomorrow,” Circle Christian coach Wade Gossett said.
Lake Nona girls and Winter Park stalwart place 2nd in FHSAA golf state tourney
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
