James Yodice, Journal Staff Writer
Albuquerque Academy’s girls golfers owned the day at Monday’s Albuquerque Metro Championships.
The senior-less Chargers, priming themselves for a run at another Class 4A state title in two weeks at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, put all five of their players in the top 12 at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course as they captured the metro crown by 18 shots over St. Pius.
Sophomore Gabby Sanchez and junior Adelyn Haas, the defending champion, went 1-2 in the individual standings for Academy.
Sanchez shot 5-over 78, a stroke ahead of Haas. Sanchez’s short game, in particular her putter, which she described as “pretty clutch,” bailed her out on numerous occasions on Monday with up-and-downs.
“My swing was a little more rough than it usually is,” Sanchez said. “Usually, my swing is pretty good and my short game is struggling. It was a little bit weird, because it was the opposite.”
It was Sanchez’s third victory of prep golf’s wraparound season, which began last fall. She also won the Class 4A state preview event earlier this spring at New Mexico Tech.
“It’s so great to be able to win it together as a team,” Sanchez said. “We work so hard … we’re also like a really close-knit team, which I think is really special about us.”
