WC golf teams eye national championship

Girls

On the strength of their recent performance, the Weatherford College women’s golf team is heading to the NJCAA Div. I Championships with plenty of confidence.

A late-season surge propelled them to the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Championship, along with a runner-up finish at the Southwest District Tournament on their home course, Canyon West.

“I’m really proud of this group,” said head coach Dave Rennhack. “The extra work they have been putting in on their short games paid off and their mental approach has gone to a different level. Playing at our home course was really fun but they didn’t take it for granted. They performed with a lot of confidence and stuck to a great game plan.”

In the final round at the Southwest District Tournament, the Lady Coyotes bested Odessa College, the nation’s No. 1 team. They ended the tournament just three strokes behind the defending national champion Wranglers.

“They had never beaten Odessa on a single day and their performance in the final round opened their eyes to what is possible,” Rennhack said. “If they take that attitude into the national championship, they could do very well.”

Weatherford comes into the national tournament ranked No. 7.

Individually, sophomore Corrina Haros came in second at the Southwest District event. She was fifth at the national championships last season as the Coyotes were 13th as a team.

Freshman Tasnim Smaili placed third and sophomore Emily Gutierrez tied for fourth.

Haros was recently named the NTJCAC Player of the Year, and assistant coach Katie Johnston received Coach of the Year honors.

Smaili and Gutierrez were named first team all-conference, with freshmen Anjali Nair and Yixuan Mu named to the second team. Haros, Smaili, Gutierrez and Nair were also named to the All-Region V Team.

In the fall, the Lady Coyotes finished first at a tournament in Waco, where Gutierrez was fourth individually. They took third in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Haros has committed to play for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi next season and Gutierrez is headed to Texas A&M-Victoria.

“I believe they are mentally ready,” Rennhack said. “They’ve never played this course, and it is a tough Pete Dye design, but they have proven a lot to themselves this year and I’m looking forward to seeing them play some great golf.”

The tournament runs from May 11-14 at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois.

Boys

The Weatherford College men’s golf team is enjoying a season unlike any other in the history of the program and that goes back to the days when their coach, Dave Rennhack, played for the Coyotes.

Now, they are ready to cap it off with a grand prize: a national championship. It’s certainly within their grasp as they prepare to compete in the NJCAA Div. I Championships May 12-15 at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas.