CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. — The girls golf season is in full swing, and for the three-time 3A state championship-winning St. Mary's Academy, the goal is crystal clear.
"We're hoping to get our fourth. Four-peat, I guess you call it," head coach Ann Wolta Blackstone said. "We got the three-peat, which is awesome in a row, so we're going for four."
To begin the season, St. Mary's golfers, alongside every Colorado preps spring golfer, have to beat the frigid elements of the early spring season.
"It's really interesting because you have to prep for all different course conditions," junior Gabriella Brower said.
Due to ice on the course, Tuesday's tee time was pushed back an hour and a half.
"It definitely does stink a little bit," two-time individual state champion Maddy Bante said. "But it's OK. We kind of figure it out, and we just play with the conditions of the course. That's how you become a better golfer."
As far as the pressure goes, how does the team feel about going for the program's first-ever four-peat?
"I don't feel the pressure yet," sophomore golfer Amelia Parrott said. "I think that's going to show up maybe later towards regionals, but right now, I'm still good. I'm still coasting."
It helps to have the two-time reigning champ Maddy Bante on your squad. Bante is committed to play at Notre Dame and was the CHSAA Golfer of the Year.
"It's an honor. I feel very fortunate and very lucky because I have a great community and support system," Bante said. "I hope that I have made a really amazing imprint on younger people, that they can follow in my footsteps and do things that they want to do and pursue their dreams and goals."
Bante also gave us the secret to winning a team state title every year.
"Everything outside of golf is also really important," Bante said. "And that's what we're doing as a team as well. So I think that all together, we have great chemistry and it's going amazing."
It's one last dance for Bante, a state golfing legend, who is leaving this program better than she found it.
"It's definitely hard, but you know, it's been a really good run and I'm really excited for the future," Bante said.
St. Mary's Academy will host its next round of golf at the Cherry Creek Country Club.
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