DIVISION I-A GOLF: Crusaders’ Becker overcomes putting woes to capture region title

The good news for Faith Lutheran's Julia Becker on Thursday was she hit 17 greens in regulation.

The bad news? The junior didn’t make a single birdie.

“Definitely, putting was a problem,” Becker said.

Despite her struggles on the greens, Becker shot 3-over-par 75 and cruised to medalist honors at the Division I-A Southern Region girls tournament at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Grace Kang of Clark and Faith Lutheran’s Sarah Paravia each carded an 82 to tie for second.

Becker took advantage of her length off the tee and was able to take aim at several pins with short irons and wedges. She opened with five straight pars and shot 37 on the front nine on the Eldorado course before making two bogeys coming home on the Desert Hawk course.

“I could have done a little better,” Becker said. “I just want to carry on the good tradition of girls golf at Faith.”

Serena Kasama was fifth with a season-best 86 as the Crusaders shot 332 to win the team title. Clark was second at 383, followed by Tech (461). All three teams will move on to the NIAA Division I-A state tournament, which starts Monday at Canyons Golf Club in Mesquite and concludes Tuesday at Palms Golf Club in Mesquite.

Boulder City’s Jordyn Syler, who was fourth with an 84, advanced as an individual along with Moapa Valley’s Haley Nielson and Josie Delgadillo, and Pahrump Valley’s Jayde Woodworth and Natalie King.

"I feel like I can shoot even better next week," Becker said. "We've done a practice round out there. I feel confident going into the state tournament."