Casteel. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)

 

Jordin Cowing’s approach shot on the 18th green came up a few feet short of the hole but the Casteel faithful erupted in applause because the first state championship in program history was now one putt away with Cactus Shadows trailing the Colts by only two strokes after two days of play at the Aguila Golf Course in Laveen. Individually, Cowing finished tied for fourth place but her ball rolled in and her team finished on top, a place the Colts were denied last year.

Cactus Shadows beat Casteel 629 to 630 last year to win the eighth team championship in program history, a mark that stands up to all in Arizona except for the incredible 37 won by Xavier Prep. That second place finish was the highest ever for the Colts until Cowing made her putt. Even better for Casteel, only one senior is in the starting rotation for the Colts and the Falcons will have to replace three after graduation.

Chaparral senior Raegan Capizzi took a couple of years off after competing as a freshman and her senior year turned out to be the best one could hope for after the Denver commit shot a 5-under-par 67 on Tuesday to go with her 1-under 71 on Wednesday to beat the field by three strokes. Casteel sophomore Julia Herzberg took second (70-71: 141) and Salpointe standout Lily Huether took third (74-68: 142). Huether shot the low round of the day on Wednesday (68) and she finished in second place last year in a playoff.

Cactus Shadows. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)

The Medalists (L-R) (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)