American Heritage girls’ golf dominates field to win Class 2A state title

South Florida’s first team high school state championship of the 2018-19 season belongs to the American Heritage girls’ golf team.

The Patriots dominated the Class 2A field at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills just outside Orlando, posting a two-round team score of 21-over 597 to take home the title, with Archbishop McCarthy coming in a distant second in the 16-team field, carding a 84-over 660.

This marks Plantation American Heritage’s seventh girls’ golf state title since 2005 and the 13th time in the last 14 years that American Heritage finished as either the state champion or state runner-up in its classification.

Sophomore Casey Weidenfeld also won the individual with an even par 144. Junior Ana Lopez (6-over 150; 5th), freshman Kelly Shanahan (8-over 152; T-7th), freshman Lily Celetano (10-over 154, 10th) and senior Alena Lindh (12-over 156, T-11th) rounded out the Patriots’ lineup.

Archbishop McCarthy’s Jennifer Lilly finished ninth with a 9-over 153.

The American Heritage’ boys’ team finished second in the 16-team field with a two-day team score of 29-over 605, with Luke Clanton earning the individual title with an even-par 144. The rest of the Patriots finished in the top 25 of the 96-competitor field: juniors Kim Jude and Leo Herrera (9-over 153; T-11th), sophomore Jonathon Mourin (11-over 155; 16th) and freshman Gabriel Hegerstrom (14-over 158; T-22nd). They were eight strokes behind state champion Ponte Vedra.

Archbishop McCarthy finished seventh with a 93-over-669, with Justin Lilly posting a team-best 12-over-156 for 17th place, followed by Cannon Kade (21-over 165; T-33rd), Cae Hinsely (28-over 172, 51st), Brett White (32-over 176, T-56th) and Ian Rodguez (62-over 206, 83rd).

Belen Jesuit’s Andres Ludert finished tied for 26th as an individual on the boys’ side with his 16-over 160. Pompano Beach’s Heidi Christensen posted a 26-over 170 as an individual in the girls’ tournament to 31st place.

Class 3A teams will compete for the state title on Tuesday and Wednesday. Columbus, St. Thomas Aquinas and Western all advanced teams on the boys’ side. Palmetto’s Justin Rabin and Stoneman Douglas’ Tyler Le and Kody Finn are competing as individuals. On the girls’ side, St. Thomas Aquinas, Cypress Bay and Doral Academy advanced full teams. Our Lady of Lourdes Academy’s Daniela Spillert and Gabriella Chavez as well as Coral Glades’ Kayla Holden advanced as individuals.

This story was originally published November 3, 2018 at 5:29 PM.