Logan Heath is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Betty Fairfax High School for AZpreps365.com

Betty Fairfax finished first in a quad meet on Wednesday at Encanto Golf Course with a 172 score, well ahead of Central (201), Glendale (227) and Moon Valley (232).

The Stampede’s Harper Swope was the medalist as he shot 3-over-par 38. Swope was very consistent as he parred every hole except for holes three and six.

Swope is eager to keep improving before the postseason begins.

“I am half a stroke away from making states,” he said. “Hopefully I can. I just have to shave some strokes on my rounds.”

The Stampede’s Jason Castillo finished second, posting three pars en route to a 43. Teammate Owen Stroop finished third with a 44.

Stroop also emphasized his goals of improving for the final rounds of the regular season and for the postseason.

“Hopefully I can finish in the top five in the Phoenix Union tournament,” he said. “I think if I continue to practice and continue to stay motivated I have a pretty good chance.”

Even after the victory, Stampede coach Chris Hazelton focused less on the result and more on the team’s performance.

“I felt that it was good to win the match but it was a little bit of a struggle,” Hazelton said. “I think that having to play in three events in a row has taken a bit of a toll on the guys. We have not had much time to practice and I think we felt that a little today in the way we played. But it is still good to get out there and get a win.”

Hazelton highlighted specific areas that the team needs to improve on moving forward.

“We did not make many putts out there today,” he said. “I think there were opportunities for them to make some birdies when they hit greens in regulation but really nothing was dropping. For our top guys, when they are in position to score inside of 12 to 15 feet, I would like to see those putts a little closer or see them make at least one of them per nine.”

Hazelton shifted his focus from the team’s struggles to individual performances.

“I just want to see them continue to improve. One bright spot today was our number four, Brayden Martinez, had his best match ever. Jason had a good match and finished out with a par. We did not play our best today but there are still those bright spots that are those confidence- builders. Both as individuals and as a team,” he said.

Looking ahead, Hazelton said the team’s ambitions extend beyond regular-season wins.

“We have our district championship next Friday,” he said. “The goal is always to win that tournament every season. Not only as a team but we would also like to have one of our guys be the individual champion as well.”