Bayley named CWAC MVP as Ephrata, Othello land multiple selections
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 4 weeks AGO
MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Athletic Conference announced the boys and girls golf All-League teams Wednesday. On the girls’ side, the Ephrata Tigers and Othello Huskies were well represented.
Ephrata
“I'm super proud of them,” Tigers Head Coach Tracy Pickeral said. “My top (four) there, who've been with me since they were all freshmen, have worked super hard. Sophie (Molitor) is a freshman, but she worked super hard to get this. They had their goals and met most of them, so it was exciting to see.”
Five players from Ephrata were named to the CWAC’s All-League teams. Stella Bayley and Rayn Castillo earned first team honors; freshman Sophie Molitor made the second team, and Alyee Roberts and Cecilia Roth were honorable mentions.
Bringing home the Most Valuable Player award to the Tigers was Bayley.
“Her mental game has improved greatly this season,” said Pickeral. “She just brings a nice, calm, steady presence to the team, and is a really good leader. Even though she might be struggling, trying to help other girls do their best and be successful too, I'm excited to see what she does as she moves to the college level.”
Castillo making the first team is a climb from her placement last season on the second team.
“About mid-season, she just hit a stride and played better every week, so that was fun to see her make those great gains,” said the coach.
Molitor has been a welcome addition to the team, Pickeral said. Seeing her earn second team honors was no surprise to her.
“She comes from a golfing family, so she knows the game,” she said. “I'm super excited to see what she can do after taking 19th at state as a freshman. She's got loads of potential and is pretty dedicated, so I know she'll spend some time on the course this summer and continue to try to improve her game too.”
Othello
Eileen Garza, Autumn Weyns and Khya Parrish were the Huskies who earned All-League honors after a competitive season on the green.
“They like to play golf, and they like to improve, and so it shows through being recognized, and we appreciate that greatly,” Huskies Head Coach Heather Ochoa said.
Garza and Weyns made the jumps from honorable mention and second team last season to first team this season. This leap in progress is a result of their hard work, the coach said.
“They play more golf than the others, and it's obvious because their scores improve, and they are kind of devastated when they can't make those scores in the 90s,” Ochoa said. “They constantly want to work on their game, and that's what it takes to be a golfer. You got to go out there and figure out, ‘What am I doing wrong, and how can I improve?’ It all builds on each other, and I think that's kind of what Eileen figured out, and Autumn also.”
Rounding out the CWAC honors for the Huskies was Parrish as an honorable mention in her sophomore season. Seeing players like her become successful early on in their athletic journey gives a confidence boost for the future, Ochoa said.
As she looks ahead to future seasons with Othello golf, she is excited to help more players hit the green and improve within themselves.
“We feel very fortunate when golf season comes around because we always have the nicest kids, and they don't complain, and they like to work,” she said. “It's always refreshing when golf season comes around, and we hope that kids are just as excited. It is fun to watch them improve over the season.”
GIRLS CWAC ALL-LEAGUE
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Stella Bayley – Ephrata
FIRST TEAM
Stella Bayley – Ephrata
Rayn Castillo – Ephrata
Bella Cha – Prosser
Eileen Garza – Othello
Elaine Mower – Selah
Autumn Weyns – Othello
SECOND TEAM
Mia Cortez – Grandview
Sophie Molitor – Ephrata
Kierra Nicholls – Selah
Olga Sanchez – Grandview
Logan Shaw – East Valley
HONORABLE MENTION
Delaney Campbell – Ellensburg
Marley Kearney – Selah
Khya Parrish – Othello
Alyee Roberts – Ephrata
Cecilia Roth – Ephrata
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