The loss of two-time state champion Krystal Quihuis to the University of Arizona is a huge loss for Salpointe Catholic but head coach Michele Murphy appears to have reloaded a bit with the addition of freshmen Haylin Harris and Annabelle Huether.

As noted before, Harris was almost unstoppable this summer on the junior golf circuit and chose Salpointe over Catalina Foothills when it came time to compete in high school.

Harris won her first high school match by one stroke over teammate Claire Hanson 36-37 Monday at Dell Urich against perennial golf power Catalina Foothills. "It's very exciting," said Harris. "It feels about the same as my other victories but this is my first high school win. I know I struggled today and I need to work on my chipping but I'm going to work on lowering my score now."

Annabelle Huether's mom is Amy Huether. After playing collegiately at Iowa, Huether became Yale's first women's golf coach in the Ivy League Championship era in 1994.

Huether shot a 42 her first time out which would have been good enough to score for any other team but not today with Araceli Esquivel (40) and Andrea Trevino (41) scoring along with Harris and Hanson to help defeat Catalina Foothills 154-204.

Belle Morales led Foothills with a 49 and she was followed by Elisabeth Carter (50), Cody Hutchison (51) and Kassy Tejeda (54). Perry Hutchison shot a 57.

While Morales (no relation), Carter and Perry Hutchison are seasoned golfers, the emergence of Tejeda along with Cody Hutchison means Catalina Foothills future looks to be on the upswing.

"Honestly, it’s feels good to know everything I did this summer is starting to pay off," explained Tejeda. "I have a good feeling about my accomplishments and I dedicated myself to getting better."

Laura Jabczenski won back-to-back state championship at Catalina Foothills in 2009 and 2010 before moving over to play for NAU where she is now a senior.

SCORECARD

Salpointe Catholic (154)

Haylin Harris 36

Andrea Trevino 41

Annabelle Huether 42

Araceli Esquivel 40

Claire Hanson 37

 

Catalina Foothills (204)

Elisabeth Carter 50

Kassy Tejeda 54

Cody Hutchison 51

Belle Morales 49

Perry Hutchison 57

 

NOTES

Mimi Fina is also a freshman at Salpointe. Fina is the daughter of former Salpointe, University of Arizona and Buffalo Bills standout John Fina.

 

PHOTO: Belle Morales (Andy Morales)