THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Enumclaw High School Athletics

WINTER HAVEN — While the delays created by Hurricane Irma kept many prep athletes around the state from getting into a groove, Loren Perez embraced the time off. The Bartow senior, who finished tied for third place at the 2016 FHSAA Class 3A state finals, has only played five matches because of Irma, but she feels more than rested and ready headed into the annual Crutchfield-Hawkins tournament teeing off at River Green golf course in Avon Park today. “It was actually kind of nice to have a break to regroup and re-strategize,” Perez said. “I played a lot this summer and I felt like I played a tourney every week and I also helped out with a golf camp at Bartow. I’ve also had a heavy load at school this year.” Perez, who is verbally committed to Florida Southern and is planning to sign in November, won the Crutchfield-Hawkins tournament as a sophomore, but struggled a bit in the tournament last year. “Winning it this year is a goal for sure. I want it all like in 2015. I want to win the flight and the overall low-medalist,” Perez said. The tournament was moved to River Green from Sun N Lake golf and country club because of the course conditions created by Irma. But Perez is familiar with River Green, also. “It’s a short-simple course, but it can be tough for me because I am a long hitter,” said Perez, who adopted a new method to her game after meeting with Florida Southern coach Robbie Davis. “We had dinner and he introduced me to the pre-swing method. It makes you think of the shot at hand and not the result.” Perez said she tried it out and immediately carded a 32 at Cleveland Heights, where her previous best was a 35. “You’ll notice now that right before I hit the ball, I will be more focused and you’ll notice a pattern,” Perez said. Bartow coach Brandon Kneer, like Perez, also feels the Yellow Jackets have a solid chance to win Crutchfield-Hawkins as a team. Rounding out the Yellow Jackets roster is Loren Hartshaw, Natalie Delledonnie, newcomer Mia McCann and Leslie White. Delledonnie has shot in the upper-30s this season to give Bartow a torrid one-two punch with Perez. And Hartshaw, McCann and White are more the capable of turning in scores in the 40s at River Green. “I think it would mean a lot to the girls to win it, especially the younger girls, who are much improved over last season,” Kneer said. “Last year only Loren went down to Crutchfield. So sending a whole team should help us a lot heading into county tournament coming up (Oct. 9).” The McKeel Academy girls will also be competing at Crutchfield-Hawkins. The boys tournament was canceled.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Enumclaw High School Athletics

BARTOW’S LOREN PEREZ READY FOR 2ND CRUTCHFIELD-HAWKINS TITLE

BILL KEMP

The Ledger | 9/28/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Wilson