By Ethan Guo, Staff Writer
On Monday, October 14th, the River Hill Hawks golf team won the District Championship in a thrilling finish, narrowly defeating Broadneck High School by a single stroke. Every shot mattered in the closely contested match, with the Hawks perseverance, composure and teamwork making the final difference on a cool and sunny afternoon.
Juniors Michelle Yeung and Evelyn Park led the way, both shooting a 76 over 18 holes to tie for first place in the girls division. Their strong performances set the tone for the team and provided a standard and confidence for the rounds that followed, inspiring their teammates to stay calm and composed.
“I felt excited to play district championships again because I was able to play [alongside] some of my friends and play competitive golf with great players,” said Michelle Yeung. Her energy reflected the excitement and intensity of the competition, which kept all her teammates motivated until the very end.
Evelyn added, “Michelle and I have been working hard all season. We pushed each other to our limits. Winning this championship really reflects on all the hard work paying off and feels amazing.”
Michelle’s focus was evident on the course: “I usually focus on one shot at a time and try to relax and stay positive on the course.” Her disciplined approach allowed her to remain calm and composed under pressure and contribute heavily to the teams total score.
Sophomore Justin Zhao followed, shooting a 78, and finishing 11th overall. His steady performance kept River Hill in the lead as they were finishing their final holes. Senior Justin Choi shot an 80, and sophomore Dhruv Kasargod added an 84, rounding out the team’s total with consistency and teamwork.
Michelle also highlighted the preparation behind her success. “I like paying attention to the conditions and environment of the course depending on my shot,” she said. “This season I have worked on my short game, mainly my putting and chipping, so that I can gain more opportunities to make birdies.” Her attention to detail helped the Hawks gain the edge in a match decided by a single stroke.
Dhruv reflected on the team effort after the victory, “We all supported each other out there. Even when things got tough, we stayed positive and focused on bouncing back. When we saw the final score and prevailed in this tough nailbiter, it felt great and was the time of my life.” His words showed the teamwork and attitude that helped the hawks get through this close but exciting match.
When the final scores came in, the Hawks celebrated a close win over Broadneck with this victory showing both individual skill and teamwork. From Michelle and Evelyn’s shared first-place finish to solid rounds by Justin Zhao, Justin Choi and Dhruv Kasargod, every stroke counted. With focus, determination and support for each other, River Hill won the district title: a true team achievement that they will remember for the rest of their lives.