GEORGETOWN, Texas — Behind Canadian transfer Swetha Sathish and senior captain Sydney Givens, the Vandegrift girls golf team won its second straight UIL 6A state championship on Tuesday afternoon at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.
"It feels great," head coach Aaron Ford said. "It's as good as the first one."
Vandegrift (+10, 279-289-586) won this year's tournament by five strokes, outlasting second-place San Antonio Reagan (+15, 294-297-591) and third-place Coppell (+26, 305-297-602).
Leading the way for the Vipers was junior Swetha Sathish. Originally from near Toronto, Ontario, her first season on the Vandegrift girls golf team ended in gold. Sathish placed first individually by shooting 6-under for the tournament (-6, 70-68-138).
"Gosh, I'm literally speechless," the future Arkansas Razorback said. "I'm so happy, and I have to give everything to my team, my coach and my family."
Right behind Sathish was her senior teammate, Sydney Givens. The former state champion and state runner-up placed second individually for the second straight year by firing a 2-under for the tournament (-2, 71-71-142). Naturally, the almost-graduate was emotional after ending her career on top.
"It's a little emotional," the soon-to-be Colorado Buffalo said. "This is my last tournament with these girls, and it means so much to me. It really does. I'm looking forward to college and everything, but just to stay in the present and stay here with this team means so much."
Rounding out the Vipers' back-to-back state title performance was Addison Bandelier (+4, 74-74-148), Eden McSpadden (+15, 83-76-159) and Danica Lundgren (+18, 82-80-162).
"Just to have the chance this year to repeat as state champion," Ford said. "It's just a super special feeling."
Now the question is: Can the Vipers three-peat next year?
"We'll see," Ford said. "We got some good players coming back, but we're going to enjoy this one and we're going to work hard over the offseason to get ready for next year."
"I just know that we have to work hard, and we're definitely a hard working team. And if we are, then we can get the job done," Sathish said.
Westlake sophomore Isabel Emanuels finished in a tie for third at 1-under for the tournament (-1, 71-72-143).