The Xavier golf team won the 2023 Division I Girls Golf State Championship. The state championship was held on October 31-November 1 at Aguila Golf Course in Phoenix.
The girls golf state championship has been held in Tucson for the past seven years, so the Gators had to adjust to new territory.
Alexis Lamadrid ‘27 and Lena Durette ‘24 placed second, both shooting a 74 on Day 1 and a 70 on Day 2, followed by Isabella Piazza ‘26 and Grace Rubelsky ‘24 who placed fifth and sixth respectively.
The girls worked hard all season, winning all of the matches, the Aguila Invitational and the 2023 Brophy Invitational. They placed second in the Brophy Rodeo, a national invitational. Tui Selvaratnam, head coach, said, “They all came as a team and they wanted it for themselves, for the team and for the school.”
The golf team had not won a state championship since 2020, so the Gators were determined to come home with a win.
“While I was playing, I didn’t really feel too nervous except on the first tee, but once I was out on the course I felt at ease because I had faith in my team and knew they had the talent to play well,” Durette said.
Although golf may seem like an individual sport, the Gators had to work together to secure the win, and their incredible family-like bond helped them.
According to Rubelsky, “There’s no better feeling than winning a state championship. The feelings and emotions of reaching the top are indescribable. I’m beyond grateful I was able to share the moment with the 12 other Gators.”
