Hilltopper golfers from left, Raul Roybal, Aislinn McDonald, Bri Sanderson, Coach Mike Lippiatt, Assistant Coach Brent Collom, Emma Haines, Faith Koh and Jennifer Necker. Courtesy photo
Staff Report
Hilltopper golfer Raul Roybal ended up shooting 92 the second day and did not place but his achievment to qualify for state was “amazing” as he worked hard and put together three very good tournament scores to get to the state tournament.
“Roybal was by far the most determined, and most improved player on the boys team and represented LAHS and the community of Los Alamos well. He is a senior and will be attending UNM in the fall,” Hilltopper Golf Coach Mike Lippiatt said.
The girls improved their team score by 11 shots the second round of state shooting a 381. There two-day total was a 773 and that maintained their 7th place finish. They came up just a few shots short of obtaining their goal of a top 5 finish at state – but they came close and definitely made the race to the top 5 more exciting.
Overall the girls had a good 2012/2013 season with 4 team qualifying legs and of course, making it to the state championship and becoming the 7th best 2AAAA team in the state. During the state tournament, the Hilltoppers two youngest players really rose to the occassion. Faith Koh, 9th grade, shot 95 – 95, which were her best rounds of the season and Jennifer Necker, 8th grade, shot 99 – 96, which were her best rounds of the season as well.
“It is always so awesome to watch the kids score their personal bests but … you don’t often get to watch them do it two days in a row and at the state championship tournament. What a wonderful tournament these two young ladies had,” Lippiatt said. “Aislinn McDonald is our only senior this year. She had a few struggles early on during the first round of the tournament but she muscled her way back and improved her game as the tournament wore on. This was Aislinn’s 3rd appearance at the 2AAAA state championship. It has been so much fun being Aislinn’s coach for the past three years and we will miss her. She will be attending NMSU.
Lippiatt explained that Emma Haines and Bri Sanderson, juniors on the team, also had their struggles but fought back to improve the scores the second day. He said they will officially take over the reigns next year as the team’s only seniors.
“It’s been a great season and our three days at state were so much fun. I look forward to the 2013/2014 season when we will host the LAHS fall invite on Sept. 16,” Lippiatt said. “We also have our Los Alamos Junior Golf Association fundaiser tournament Saturday, Aug. 10 with a 1 p.m. shotgun start.”
