By Kyle LoJacono
Steinbrenner High girls golfer Alex Milan will never experience a season without a district championship, but for the first time her team claimed a title as well.
Milan, a senior, won her fourth straight individual district crown by shooting a 6-over 78 after winning last year with Steinbrenner and the previous two seasons at Sickles High.
“I didn’t really play well, but I’m happy with the win,” said Milan, who has committed to playing at Florida State University. “I didn’t even realize that I’d won four in a row when it happened, but now it’s sinking in.”
While Milan could not have won more district titles while in high school, the Warriors won their first ever as a team by shooting 352, besting Academy of the Holy Names’ 383 Oct. 18 at Cheval Golf and Country Club. Michelle Stein shot an 85 while Sara Bair shot 90 to help win the Class 1A, District 14 crown.
“It’s very special that it happened my senior year,” Milan said. “Each year I thought we were strong enough to win, but this year the whole team is a lot better. Half of our team are freshmen with only a couple older players and everyone is a lot better now than when we started.”
Steinbrenner went 10-3 in its second regular season this year. The Warriors now advance to the regional tournament in Largo.
“It’s a great feeling for a new golf program,” said Steinbrenner coach Mark Mann. “We set out with this as a goal when the season started. They really worked hard all year and it paid off.”
Two Wildcats teams top 1A-9
Academy at the Lakes girls golf won 1A-9 championship at Plantation Palms by shooting 488, beating Wesley Chapel High’s 523. The top three teams in each district tournament advance to regionals.
Winning the individual hardware is Saddlebrook Prep’s Lauren Riehle, who won the title last year, with a 5-over 77. Wesley Chapel freshman Hana Lee and academy’s Anna Fornelli tied for second with an 86, while Ellen Crowly, of the academy, shot 107. Carrollwood Day’s Hannah Crosby advanced individually with a 110.
