SOFIA YOUNG has been named SCAC Most Valuable Player two years in a row.

Winning Solano County Athletic Conference championships has become a routine for Benicia High’s girls golf program.

The Lady Panthers have won 15 league championships in the past 17 years, including six straight, though they struggled to bring home the banner last season. Benicia had its streak of 69 straight SCAC victories get snapped by American Canyon last season, and the Lady Panthers lost their final two SCAC matches of the regular season before winning the SCAC Tournament to take the crown away from American Canyon and Vanden.

Inheriting this dynasty is new head coach Allan Frederick, who is taking over for long-time golf coaches Nan and Mike Prolo. Frederick coached a match or two for the Prolo’s last season but is at the helm for all of 2016.

“I think we have a lot of potential,” Frederick said of his Lady Panthers. “It’s early in the season and I expect they’ll all get even better as the year goes along.”

Leading the charge is junior Sofia Young, who was the SCAC’s Most Valuable Player in each of the past two seasons. Young finished fourth in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Tournament as a freshman and came within two strokes of winning the title last season. She’s a regular on the Northern California juniors circuit and has competed both nationally and internationally.

“She’s as good as ever,” Frederick said of Benicia’s top golfer.

Providing a solid 1-2 punch is new freshman Angel Antonio, whose golf game is nearly as polished as Young’s.

“She’s gonna give Sofia a run for her money, she’s that good” Frederick said. “She has a private coach and is really good.”

Senior Jordan Whiting was a regular starter for Benicia last season and is back for 2016. Junior Megan Saari is another seasoned veteran who solidifies Benicia’s lineup.

“Jordan’s still developing her swing,” Frederick said. “She had a little bit of a slice last year and we’re working on getting that under control. Megan’s our most improved player since last year. Her putting has improved immensely and she’s developed a nice feel for it. She’s regularly two-putting.”

Other golfers expected to contribute this season are senior Gabi Komoda, juniors Lauren Tsutsui and Morgan McCulley, sophomores Lacey Tsutsui and Erika Johnson, and freshmen Alexis Valentine, Jordan Cross, Naomi Kenny and Lauren Notarianni.

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