The AIA division 1 and 2 golf state championships teed off earlier this week at Aguila Golf Course. The JGAA was on full display with four current members sitting pretty at the top of their leaderboards. In the division 1 boys golf state championship, Hamilton junior Joseph Nelson earned individual honors, shooting 67 both days and edging out another notable JGAA player in Brophy’s Dylan Boenning by one stroke.
Alexis Lamadrid of Xavier Prep led the Gators to its 39th division 1 golf title as a team while also taking home top individual honors at Aguila Golf Course. The JGAA standout finished 7-under with rounds of 68-69. Lamadrid outperformed Casteel’s Jordin Cowing, also a current JGAA member, by one stroke in a great individual battle, as Cowing carded rounds of 68 and 70.
Landon Ashcraft earned his second-straight division 2 individual state title for Notre Dame Prep. The junior beat the field by two strokes to seal the deal and help Notre Dame Prep secure its fifth division 2 boys state championship. He is the first golfer from a “big school” to win consecutive state championships since Hamilton’s CJ Kim achieved the feat in 2008 and 2009, and the first Division 2 athlete to do so since Notre Dame’s Nicholas Losole III in 2007 and 2008. Ashcraft has committed to play golf at Texas A&M.
As for the division 2 girls golf state championship, St. John Paul II senior Kaitlyn Helm shot 5-under par during round two on Tuesday to pull away from the crowd with Sabino senior Zaida Wise and Chaparral junior Isabel Helgemoe tied with Helm for the lead after day one. Helm shot a 9-under 135 to hold Wise (139) and Combs senior Alexis Vakasiuola (139), last year’s JGAA Girls Player of the Year, at bay to earn the division 2 girls golf individual state championship. Helm is committed to play golf at Washington State University.
“To see all of our current golfers competing at such a high level and winning state titles is so satisfying for all of us at the JGAA,” said JGAA Executive Director Scott McNevin. “Way to represent! We can’t wait to see you back playing in our upcoming tournaments for 2025!”
See links below to read more:
https://azpreps365.com/articles/17895-brophy-wins-10th-state-golf-championship-in-dominant-fashion
https://azpreps365.com/articles/17885-xavier-wins-national-record-39th-state-golf-title
https://azpreps365.com/articles/17846-landon-ashcraft-earned-his-second-straight-d-ii-championship
