EULESS:  On Friday and Saturday the Varsity Boys Golf team competed in the two-day Lanny Watkins Invitational, hosted by Trinity Christian Academy of Addison.  JPII finished the team standings in a tie for 6th with JJ Pearce out of 18 total teams.  The Woodlands Christian won the event by 3 over TCA's top team with a 596, a score of 28 over par.   The Cardinals posted 617 as a team, 49 shots over par.   John Paul II was led by solid golf again from freshman Raghav Subbiah, with scores of 76-76, shooting 152 total.  This was good enough for a tie for 15th with teammate Kai Leider, who posted scores of 80-72.   Freshman dynamo Deuce Monroe followed closely behind with scores of 76-78 for a 154 and a tie for 22nd, followed by Chase Cutler who posted a 159, after firing scores of 81-78.  

Despite the high scores, head coach Bruce Smith was impressed with the play of his team.  "The scores in this event were very high due to the 40 mph winds on Friday.  Our boys battled the elements like true veterans and I was so proud.  There are some very strong high school powerhouses here for this event and they were in third place after Day 1.   There were also 5 of the top 10 NCAA Division I recruits in the field," said Smith, speaking to the quality of competition.  

"Raghav continues to impress me with his game," Smith continued, praising the Cardinal newcomer.  "He is very steady and also very strong.  He knows his game well and plays into it.  Texas Star is a very difficult course, most likely the most difficult we play all year and the two underclassmen, Raghav and Deuce, carried us on day 1, both posting 76.  Deuce is getting better with each outing as well."

Smith also spoke to the leadership and continued development of his veteran players.  "I know Chase will be there in the spring as well.  Kai is really starting to show what a great player he is as well and his score of 72 the second day shows that.  I was so proud of how hard these four battled without having a 5th man." 

"Posting scores of 313 in 40 mph winds and 304 the second day without playing our best golf on a very difficult course is extremely admirable against this caliber of opponent.  I am told we are the 2nd ranked team in the state among private schools if anyone pays attention to standings, which I don't.   But our old nemesis, TCA, is ranked #1.  They out-played us by 18 shots in this event.  For us to have a chance to take them at state, we must be more disciplined with the short clubs and our decision making off the tee and into the green.  This group is by far the best golf team ever at JPII.  It is up to them to create their own legend for others to follow.  I am so proud of the way they performed this weekend and this is another step in that direction."

The Varsity Boys are back on the links in two weeks at the Arglye Invite at Robson Ranch Golf Club on November 15th, while the Varsity Girls compete in the Trinity Fall Invitational tomorrow, also at Texas Star Golf Course.