Kayla Bryant helps FAU High win Class 1A girls’ state golf title
FAU High girls recently captured Class 1A team titles during the FHSAA golf state championship at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.
The FAU High girls’ team won its first team state title as they captured the Class 1A championship with a total of 578, winning by seven shots over First Academy.
FAU sophomore Kayla Bryant (68-69) placed second and finished one stroke short by one stroke in the state final as First Academy junior Mi LI shot 66-70 for a 136.
“The year was a lot of fun,” Bryant said. “I really enjoyed playing alongside my teammates this year,” said the 16-year-old Boca Raton resident. “I have a lot of confidence and faith in my game, so it was good to see my hard work paying off.”
Bryant, who also won the FSGA Tour Division girls 16-18 division recently, said throughout the years she has grown a lot mentally. She’s also qualified for two USGA Championships.
“I have been becoming a lot more confident in myself,” she said. “I have a lot more faith in myself. I can perform well when I need to.
“It’s really cool knowing that I can play really well after a bad practice round,” she said. “That is the case many times. I was very familiar with Mission Hills. I have played that course many times. It was definitely good to shoot some low scores out there, especially since it is a very difficult golf course.”
She said she is looking to play college golf, with hopes of someday playing professionally.
FAU led by nine shots entering the final round and had to hold off the late charge by First Academy who pulled to within seven shots in the second round, but could get no closer.
FAU sophomore Valentina Guertin (71-72) tied for eighth, while eighth-grader Alexandra Phung (73-75) tied for 20th. Junior Morgan Rodriguez (70-81) placed 30th and junior Amelie Phung (73-80) finished tied for 34th.
“We are in a tough region, and it was great competition to win all three,” said FAU High coach Cherene Castillo, whose team also won a district and regional title during the season leading up to states. “The girls were very excited to hold on. The kids are phenomenal. Kayla has continued to mature with her game. She battled an injury and did not quit. She made some big birdies in the back nine.”
Grandview Prep junior Yvette O’Brien (69-71) tied for sixth in the girls’ Class 1A state final.
In the Class 3A girls’ competition, Boca Raton senior Summer Pilot (75-72) placed ninth in the girls’ state championship. West Boca freshman Catherine Andino (74-74) was 10th.
In the boys’ competition, FAU High junior Mateo Desmond (75-73) wound up tied for eighth in the boys’ Class 1A state championship.