Golf team hits links with high hopes for spring season
The 11 men of the MCC men’s golf team have their goals set high for this season and they have every reason to do so. Coach John Guerrero said, “I recruit to win the NJCAA Championship.”
The team finished second in the ACCAC conference last season and sixth at the NJCAA Championship, but this year they have higher expectations.
Guerrero said, “I think that I definitely have the guns to win conference this year.”
Brent Hook, one of the team’s top returning players, placed fifth in the conference and second in the region last season.
“I am expecting him to lead my battle-tested veteran team by example this year,” Guerrero said.
Josh Butler, another top sophomore, placed eighth in the conference and 15th at nationals which earned him All-American honors last season.“We are deeper than last year,” Guerrero said. Adding to their depth are sophomore Brandon Sundquist and red-shirt freshmen Jared Godfrey and Brandon Holub.
Guerrero said, “I am going to rely on my red-shirt freshmen and sophomores to lead the way. The rest of the team will probably lean on them. We will go as far as our sophomores will take us. I am looking to those newcomers to step it up.”
Those newcomers include Marcus Williams, a standout from Missoula, Montana, and Bob Tierne, a transfer from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
In Coach John Guerrero’s seventh season as Women’s Golf coach he intends to win conference and have another ACCAC player of the year.
In the 2006 season the women placed second in the region and third in the conference.
“This was somewhat disappointing because this was the first year in my tenure that we did not win the conference,’’ Guerrero said.”This season’s capable new squad will still have obstacles to face.
“We are not deeper than last season, but we have a stronger, younger and more talented team this year.”
Freshman Lindi Covarubbias, top player at Dobson High School and one of the top 5A golfers in the state, has dedication and a sound work ethic that will ensure her success this season.
Jennifer Lutz, a freshman from Mesa High School is going to be another asset to the Thunderbird team.
“Jennifer will add her leadership skills to the team’s chemistry,” Guerrero said.Sophomore Kendra Gregory, the conferences’ most improved player has and Hilary Jones, Millennium High School Desert Sky Region champion, will complete the team of four.
“My freshmen will keep us very competitive at the national level. I am looking forward to this season.”
The outlook for Thunderbird is positive as the hit the links in hopes of taking home a NJCAA Championship.