I-A SOUTHERN: Medalist Becker, Freman propel Faith Lutheran to region crown

Faith Lutheran girls golfer Brianna Becker felt like she was in a minor slump heading into the postseason.

The senior didn’t take long to put those concerns behind her.

Becker shot 3-under-par 69 to win the Division I-A Southern Region tournament Monday at Mountain Falls, edging Crusaders teammate Annie Freman by one stroke.

“It’s really good because I was struggling a little bit coming into this week,” Becker said. “I wanted to put up a good score for our team.”

Becker and Freman helped Faith Lutheran win with a team score of 306, easily topping Clark (393) and Tech (516).

All three teams advanced to the I-A state tournament, which begins Monday at Wildcreek in Sparks.

Becker made four birdies, including a chip-in on the par-3 17th hole and a putt on the par-4 18th to finish with a 34 on the back nine.

“On the back nine, I hit a lot more consistent,” Becker said. “On the back, I think I was just hitting it closer and making more putts.”

Freman eagled the par-5 third hole.

“They both played really well,” Faith Lutheran coach Mark Cheney said. “Annie had a double on the ninth hole and also bogeyed the first hole, and that really was the difference. They made it as close as it could be.”

Crusaders sophomore Julia Becker shot 79 to place third. Clark sophomore Sabrina Ho (81) was fourth, and Virgin Valley senior Randi Lewis (85) was fifth.

Lewis, Boulder City’s Jordyn Syler, Pahrump Valley’s Inah Cunanan, Moapa Valley’s Haley Neilson and Pahrump Valley’s Jayde Woodworth were individual qualifiers for the state tournament.