Matt Kurihara might have graduated from Burbank High, but his influence is still being felt within the boys’ golf team.
“Matt showed that hard work and dedication can lead to success,” Burbank Coach Frank Childress said. “He instilled that in the players who are still in the program, and they are showing that this season.”
Kurihara, who is playing with UCLA’s practice squad, was an All-Area golfer last year after placing second in the Pacific League.
Burbank, along with Burroughs and Bellarmine-Jefferson have their share of talented athletes this season. Here is a look at how the programs are shaping up.
BURBANK
The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they placed second in league behind Arcadia.
With most of the team returning, Childress is expecting the squad to vie for a league title.
“I know Arcadia got a new golfer who’s really good,” he said. “But I expect us to be right up there.”
Leading the Bulldogs is senior Jin Park, who placed seventh in league in 2009.
“He has been playing a lot of golf and he has improved since last season,” Childress said of Park. “He has been shooting par and he’s been looking real good.”
Park will be joined by seniors Daniel Chang and Valen Russo, junior Kenny Cunanan, sophomore James Lee and freshman Brady Dunayer. Junior Andy Chung and freshman Eric Kouyoumdjian could also see time on varsity.
BURROUGHS
The Indians have their entire team back from last season.
“We think that we have a pretty good group this season,” Burroughs Coach Greg Everhart said. “We have our top two golfers who are just so commutative. They can beat one another on any given day.”
Those two golfers are just sophomores, Chris Kesicbasian and Kelsey Danziesen.
“They are going to lead us,” Everhart said.
Also getting playing time for the Indians will be seniors Josh Bailey and Robert Symond, along with junior Jeff Lundquist.
Everhart said he believes his team has the talent to compete with the elite teams in league.
BELLARMINE-JEFFERSON
Like in seasons past, the Guards will be a freelance team and not play in a league.
“We have some very good athletes,” Bell-Jeff Coach Rolando Aguirre said. “But we will have to see how we’re going to do as a team.”
Two golfers, Kevin Yuenyongsakul and Franz Roxas, qualified for CIF postseason competition as individuals.
Bell-Jeff will also feature John Lepe, Andrew Belsito, Justin Tamez, Patrick Kim and Sergio Chavez.
“To qualify for CIF, our guys are going to have to shoot well all season, not just well in a couple of matches,” Aguirre said. “Hopefully we can have some guys qualify again this year.”
