Faith Lutheran's Maddie Perez Makes History

Maddie Perez, a standout golfer for Faith Lutheran, delivered a record-breaking performance at the Class 5A Southern Region girls golf tournament, setting a new Nevada state record. The tournament, held at Aliante Golf Club in North Las Vegas on October 8, 2026, saw Perez post a two-day score of 13-under 131, breaking the previous record for the lowest two-round score in a Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association tournament.

Dominance on the Course

Perez, who is committed to play at UNLV, won her second consecutive 5A Southern Region individual title with a commanding nine-stroke victory. Her impressive score not only earned her individual honors but also played a pivotal role in Faith Lutheran securing the team title. With a two-day team total of 2-under 574, Faith Lutheran edged out Coronado by just one stroke (1-under 575) in a close competition.

Faith Lutheran's Team Effort

According to coach Mike Kruse, the team’s success was a collective effort, but Perez’s extraordinary performance made a significant difference. Kruse praised both Perez’s skills and her leadership, saying, “She is such a skilled golfer. She’s such a great leader. She’s such a great teammate and for all the hard work that she puts into this game, for it to pay off for her, it’s just amazing.” Kruse also highlighted the contributions of Paviah Mardiossian, who shot a personal best 3-under 69 on the second day, strengthening Faith Lutheran’s hold on the lead.

Perez Reflects on Record and Team Success

Perez admitted she was unaware she had broken the state record until after her round and described the experience as an honor. Looking ahead to her pursuit of a second individual state title, Perez emphasized the significance of the achievement: “Any type of record, it feels like such an honor to hold. Especially when it’s something as big as a state record.” She also expressed excitement for the team’s success, noting it had been a long time since Faith Lutheran had captured a team region title.

Competition and State Tournament Prospects

Coronado, the five-time defending 5A state champion, staged a strong comeback in the final round, with Sophia Medlin shooting a 7-under 65 and Grace Oh finishing 5-under. Despite the challenge, Faith Lutheran prevailed. Bishop Gorman took third place with a score of 4-over 580. All three teams—Faith Lutheran, Coronado, and Bishop Gorman—qualified for the 5A state tournament, which is scheduled for the following week in Reno. The tournament will take place over two courses: Wolf Run Golf Course for the first round and LakeRidge Golf Course for the second.

Looking Ahead: Challenges at State

Faith Lutheran is seeking its first girls golf team state title since winning the 2013 3A crown. Conditions in Reno are expected to be rainy and windy with temperatures in the 50s, presenting a new challenge for the Southern Nevada teams. Both coach Kruse and Perez stressed the importance of patience and playing safe to adapt to the courses and weather.

Class 3A and 4A Region Tournaments

In Class 3A, Boulder City won the Southern Region team title and qualified for the state tournament along with Virgin Valley. The Meadows’ Chloe Sakkab claimed the individual region title, shooting 6-under 138. The 3A state tournament is set for Ruby View Golf Course in Elko. Meanwhile, the 4A state tournament will take place at Aliante Golf Club.

Source: reviewjournal.com.