2A Girls Golf: Resurrection Christian Wins Team Title as Dorsey Claims Individual Crown

LONE TREE – State championships have become familiar territory for Resurrection Christian in recent years, but Tuesday’s title carried a new piece of history.

In winning the 2A Girls Golf State Championships at Lone Tree Golf Course and Hotel, the state title marked the first for the Cougars’ girls program. Pair it with the one the boys team won in 2023, and Resurrection Christian becomes only the 14th school in Colorado history to claim state championships in both boys and girls golf.

“I did have this with the boys, but this is the first time the girls have been state champs,” Resurrection Christian head coach Rick Meis said. “It’s just an emotional thing that you work so hard for… that they work so hard for. They deserve it all. It’s just special, especially being the first one for the school for the girls.”

The championship, had Meis been watching the scoreboard, might have been nerve-racking. Fortunately for him, he wasn’t paying much attention to it.

Denver Christian entered the second round with a seven-stroke lead over Resurrection Christian after topping the standings on Day 1. The Cougars slowly chipped away at the deficit through the front nine before taking a three-stroke advantage at the turn.

But the Thunder answered back, reclaiming the lead and holding it until the final hole. That’s when senior Karina Garcia calmly sank a par putt that ultimately gave Resurrection Christian a one-stroke edge once the scores were finalized.

The Cougars – a team of Garcia, freshman Addison Moreno, freshman Brittyn Goings and senior Avery Stockslager – finished atop the leaderboard with a two-day team score of 502, just ahead of Denver Christian’s 503. St. Mary’s Academy placed third at 533, followed by Rye at 557 and Kent Denver at 568.

“That last putt that Karina made for par… we had no idea [what the team scores were],” Meis admitted. “I don’t watch the scoreboard. I knew we were close, and then when I came into 18, [the girls] were all disappointed because the finish was so close. But in the end, it happened.

“This one is special.”

The individual championship wasn’t without drama, either.

One stroke off the lead entering the final round, Manitou Springs junior Addison Dorsey was eager to take advantage of the improved conditions. After a rain-soaked opening day hindered scoring across the field, Dorsey played more aggressively Tuesday, shaving five strokes off her first-round total to shoot an even-par 72 and claim her first individual state championship.

“It’s been a long process, especially from freshman year to now,” Dorsey said. “This [state title] means a lot. Freshman year was kind of disappointing and, in a sense, last year was too, finishing second. I wanted to win, so it means a lot… especially with all of my family’s support and everything everyone’s done for me. It’s all of their work too.”

Dorsey finished runner-up last season to Colorado Academy’s Sophia Lee, who won the title as a freshman. Seeking a second straight championship, Lee entered Tuesday’s round in fifth place, three strokes behind Dorsey. She quickly charged up the leaderboard, carding five birdies to sit at 4-under through eight holes.

But Dorsey’s eagle on the fifth hole to keep herself in control.

“We’re best friends, but obviously competitors on the course,” Dorsey said of Lee. “I wish nothing but the best for her always, but it feels good competing against her because I know I’m going against a really good competitor. She pushes me to be a better player every time, and she was playing incredible today.”

Despite the pressure from Lee’s surge, Dorsey stayed composed on the back nine, finishing 1-over across her final nine holes to secure the title with a two-round score of 149.

Lee posted the lowest round of the day with a 1-under 71 to finish second overall at 151.

The top 10 featured just one senior — Resurrection Christian’s Karina Garcia. Dorsey, a junior, claimed the title, while Lee, a sophomore, finished second. St. Mary’s Academy sophomore Quinn Roman placed third at 155, while Eads freshman Reese Barnett followed at 156.

Denver Christian juniors Sarah Farmer and Aspen Murphy tied for fifth at 160, followed by Garcia in seventh at 162. Kent Denver sophomore Kaia Chand and Resurrection Christian freshman Addison Moreno tied for eighth at 165, while Rye sophomore Gloriana Ruiz rounded out the top 10 at 166.