STOCKTON, Calif. – The St. Francis golf team posted their highest Sac-Joaquin Section Masters finish since 2012 and advanced to the 2008 CIF Northern California Regionals by placing second Monday at the Reserve at Spanos Park.

"I thought the scores would be a lot lower than they are but the wind was gusting up to 20 miles per hour and drove all the scores up across the board," said Head Coach Bert Jones. "The bottom line is we advanced."

The Troubadours shot a 447 team score to finish behind only Granite Bay (399), the only team to defeat St. Francis in team competition this season.

"It feels pretty good," said junior Nashla Aguero. "We are all happy but we are pretty shocked. We played together as a team. The wind definitely effected the greens and speed. Overall, we are excited to go to NorCals."

Heavy winds forced the scores higher on Monday but the Troubies still were among the top three teams to qualify to advance. Oakdale was third with a 454.

Aguero led the team with a 12-over par 84.

"As a team, we did not play our best but it feels really good to go to NorCals again," said Aguero. "After the disappointment from last year it feels good."

Seniors Olivia Alcoran and Patricia Sweeney, who were playing in their fourth Masters event, each posted rounds of 87 with junior Ceci Fletcher carding a round of 88.

"The wind was insane," said Sweeney. "I had to keep my head down or my eyes would dry out. I have never played in wind like that before."

The Troubadours got their fifth score from sophomore Madelene Lee, who recorded a 101. Haanya Niazi posted a 106.

"The goals for Olivia and I and the whole team would be to do a little better than we did today," said Sweeney. "The conditions were difficult and we had a hard time keeping up. Hopefully we will do better next week."

St. Francis last advanced to the CIF NorCals in 2016, finishing sixth overall.

"It is only my second NorCals of my career, so I am very excited," said Sweeney.

The event will be held at Woodbridge Country Club in Lodi. Tee times start at 8 a.m.

Sac-Joaquin Section Masters

Team Results

1. Granite Bay 399; St. Francis 447; 3. Oakdale 454; 4. Vista del lago 473; 5. Rocklin 474; 6. Bear River 487; 7. Pleasant Grove 485; 8. Whitney 488; 9. Lincoln-S 511; 10. Enochs 533; 11. McClatchy 544; 12. Mira Loma 562.

St. Francis Individual Scores



Nashla Aguero 84 (Team MVP)

Patricia Sweeney 87

Olivia Alcoran 87

Ceci Fletcher 88

Madelene Lee 101

Haanya Niazi 106