For the second consecutive year, Academy One’s Millie won the FHSAA Class 1A girls’ golf championship, shooting a 66 and a 1-under-par 70 for a 136 total in the opening round to defeat FAU High School’s Kayla Bryant by one stroke.
The victory marked the 10th consecutive year that the Orlando area had at least one boy or girl win an individual medal in one of the three divisions.
In the team competition, FAU Boca Raton High School shot a 296 for a two-day total of 578 to take the title Wednesday at Las Colinas.
Li Na is the first girl to defend her individual medal since 2018 Royals standout Ariel Yu won her second individual medal in two years.
“This year I have increased my distance and my rhythm is better,” Li Na said of her championship years.” Yesterday I adapted better to the course. I had some difficulties on the back nine.
Montverde Academy senior Victoria Renzi finished third at 138, while Windermere Prep eighth-grader Ava Zhang and Circle Christian sophomore Isabella Dovhey tied for fourth at 139.
In the boys’ tournament, TFA finished one stroke behind Benjamin School of the Palm Beaches (602) for second place. Bishop Jacksonville School (603) finished third.
“TFA coach Robin Rosado said, “They dealt with adversity very well.” You don’t hit it well, but that’s how you hit it on the next shot.
“We have high expectations for them after winning districts and regionals. With four seniors today, there was more pressure, more heart put into it and more desire, so it was a little painful.
UCF’s Palmer Haynes was one of those seniors, and he shot TFA’s top score of 71 on Wednesday for a total of 144. That score was good enough for second place individually, one stroke behind Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest’s Alexander Weinberg.
Royals sophomore Michael Cumingbaugh shot a 145, one stroke behind third-place finisher Haynes.
The Lake Mary Prep boys finished fourth at 609 and senior Barry Chang was eighth (74-74-148).
