The golf team continues their impressive season and is headed back to the FHSAA State Championship after a dominant performance at regionals this past Wednesday. Senior Gaby Barcia led the way with a birdie that helped secure the team’s return to states.

“It being my last year in the team, making it to states again felt like such a good way to end our golf chapter at OLLA,” senior Corina Alvarez said. “It makes me so happy that we are able to end the season in such a good way.”

The team’s main goal this season was to make it back to states. Achieving the feat required not just refining their golf skills, but also their mindset. Since golf is such a mental game, the team honed in on developing mental toughness. Choosing to take every setback as an opportunity to work harder and grow.

“During matches my biggest problem is not allowing my thoughts to become negative so I simply keep my mind in the moment and in the shot and accept whatever challenges come my way,” senior captain Gabriella Barcia said.

“The way you think really affects your game way more than you would think, so our mentality this year was super strong and really motivated us to do good,” Alvarez explained.

As the team prepares for this next challenge, it’s a bitter sweet moment for seniors who will be playing their final match. All of them have been on the team since their freshman year, making this return to states  a full-circle experience.

“It’s been so amazing being able to be on the team since freshman year and really see our growth over the past four years,” senior captain Sophia Corps said.

While next year means parting with beloved seniors, the team has a strong foundation for the future and hopes to continue their streak of dominance.

“Seeing the seniors make states and their work ethic is so inspiring, I can’t wait for the next three years,” freshman Elizabeth Marquez said.