DOWNEY - The Downey High School boys' golf team has finished their team season with an overall record of 9-11 and league record of 5-3.The Vikings finished in third place behind competitive teams from Gahr and cross-town rival Warren and defeated Schurr and Montebello to round out S.G.V.L competition. This week Downey is participating in league finals. League finals were Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and featured some of the areas best golfers. A total of 30 golfers from all five league teams began play Monday and at the end of Wednesday (54 holes of golf), four individuals advanced to the C.I.F. individual tournament on May 14. (Scores and advancing individuals unavailable at press time.) Coach Sanders said that Justin Abernathy has performed well this year and is his top golfer. Sanders also said that Victor Ortiz has been playing well and has especially improved the second half of the season. Sanders further stated that sophomore Rakeesh Patel has improved greatly this season and came through for the Vikings in some important matches. Patel will certainly be one of Downey's best golfers next year. As Downey entered the final round of competition on Wednesday, it is unlikely that any Viking golfer will advance to C.I.F. competition on May 14. Warren and Gahr have dominated the the first two days of league competition and it appears the top four finishers will be well represented by those two schools. Coach Sanders was not surprised at these results due to Warren and Gahr finishing in first and second place in league play respectively. Coach Sanders concluded by expressing how much he enjoyed coaching his team this year. Sanders stated that "his players made this season a lot of fun and I know they have learned to play a game they will enjoy the rest of their lives." Coach Sanders also wanted to congratulate Warren and Coach Schmid for a well deserved league title and that Downey enjoyed the competition with Gahr, Montebello and Schurr as well. Coach Sanders concluded by saying that he is already looking forward to next year's season and helping new golfers to develop their golf games.

********** Published: May 03, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 03