SEIZING CHANCES
When Bella Flores first joined the Kingwood golf program as a freshman last year, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She was playing alongside several upperclassmen and going through the rigors of the postseason gauntlet for the first time. Flores made the most of those opportunities, however, and came back even stronger as a sophomore this season.
Flores was the top player for coach Susan Willis and helped lead the Mustangs to another UIL Class 6A state tournament appearance. Kingwood, which won the Region III-6A crown by an astonishing 44 strokes, took fourth place at state and was the highest finishing team from the Houston area.
Flores capped her immaculate postseason run with another strong performance. She tied for 10th place, finishing 3-over after rounds of 73 and 74. Flores was just one stroke from a topfive finish and four off the overall lead. Flores also won the District 21-6A title and was the runner-up at regionals.
Among her accomplishments this season was a school record-setting round of 66, which she fired at the Clubs of Kingwood Marsh Course. She collected her first hole-in-one and also holed out for eagle during the round. Flores won four tournaments as a sophomore and had five additional top-four finishes.
For her efforts this spring, Flores is the All-Greater Houston girls golfer of the year.
Q: What was it like to be a part of the postseason run you all had as a team, winning regionals and going to state?
Flores:
“Last year, we ended up losing regionals by one stroke, and we ended up going to state, but we didn’t play very well as a team. I think motivation was a big key this year. I think our confidence was very high, and as a team, our bonding was closer. We made it a point to get to know each other better off the golf course as well. I think that helped a lot.”
Q: You secured a top-10 finish at state. What did that accomplishment mean to you?
Flores:
“Last year, I got 16th, and I’m not going to lie, I didn’t really make a goal for myself last year because I didn’t know what to expect, and I knew I was going to be super nervous. This year, I put a goal for myself to make the top 10, so I accomplished that goal, and I was really happy.”
Q: How do you feel like you’ve grown as a player over these past two years?
Flores:
“I think one way that I’ve grown is being a team player. Golf is so individual that it was very hard to come into a team and not really know what to expect, especially being one of the youngest girls and taking first spot. That was kind of nerve-racking at first. But the girls, I love them now, and they’re like my best friends.”
Q: What are you looking forward to when it comes to your final two years playing for Kingwood?
Flores:
“I would say winning state. I think next year my goal is going to be top five. I would say next year, just winning as a team and being either top five or winning state individually would be the goals. Another goal
COACH OF THE YEAR: SUSAN WILLIS, KINGWOOD
Willis guided her team back to the UIL Class 6A state tournament where the Mustangs finished fourth. They were the highest finishing team from the Houston area, regardless of classification. Kingwood took home the Region III-6A championship by 44 strokes and won the District 21-6A title as well.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: ADDIE SURBER, FR., LAKE CREEK
Surber finished her first high school season on a high note, tying for seventh place at the UIL Class 5A state tournament. She fired an opening round of 77 and came back stronger the next day with a 73. She was the highest Houston-area finisher in the field. She also took sixth place at the district tournament and third at regionals, giving her a top-six finish at each stage of the postseason.
FIRST TEAM
Gracie Heinle, Soph., College Park
Tristan Gabbard, Sr., Fulshear
Veronika Exposito, Soph., The Woodlands
Jasmine Do, Soph., Bridgeland
Daniela Palmeros, Fr., Jersey Village
SECOND TEAM
Kate Hartnett, Jr., Kingwood
Grace Wu, Fr., Memorial
Emily Madeley, Sr., College Park
Zoë Hobbs, Soph., Klein Cain
Morgan Ankenbrandt, Jr., Kingwood
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TILLIE CLAGGETT, SR., JOHN COOPER
Claggett captured the Southwest Preparatory Conference title with an impressive showing at Pecan Valley Golf Course in Fort Worth. The Vanderbilt signee carded rounds of 68 and 65 to finish 11-under-par and set a new conference record for the lowest two-day score.
COACH OF THE YEAR: JACK SOLIMAN, ST. JOHN’S
Soliman guided his team to the Southwest Preparatory Conference title, winning the tournament by 38 strokes over runner-up Kinkaid. The Mavericks had four players earn All-SPC honors: Brielle Burns (3rd), Ashley Yen (4th), Kenna Lee (T-7th) and Clare Wan (T-9th).
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: SOPHIA ELLESTAD, FR., ST. AGNES
Ellestad captured the TAPPS Class 6A state title to cap a sensational freshman season. She posted rounds of 77 and 75 before defeating Shirley Yang of Prestonwood Christian in a playoff for the crown.
PRIVATE SCHOOL TEAM
Brielle Burns, Soph., St. John’s
Ashley Yen, Sr., St. John’s
Allyn Stephens, Sr., Kinkaid
Avery Thompson, Sr., Kinkaid
Ellie Fincher, Sr., Frassati Catholic
would be to break more records as a team and individually.”