City Section golf champion Romeo Juarez, only a junior at Reseda High, served notice on Wednesday that he can compete against the best. He shot a two-under-par 69 to finish fourth at the CIF state golf championships at San Gabriel Country Club, the best finish ever by a City Section golfer.
Juarez had little attention when the season began because he missed all of last year for academic ineligibility. He has since stopped missing classes and become better able to balance school responsibilities with his love for golf.
He won the City individual title on May 20. He played solidly on Wednesday to finish behind winner Drue Sanchez, of De La Salle, who shot a 66.
“Of course, I felt I left a few out there,” he said. “Not winning makes you a little bit more hungry. I feel blessed I had the opportunity to show my skill set.”
Juarez said he feels confident with his putting and wedge game.
“A lot of hard work goes into this,” he said.
Next up is a summer of junior tournaments.
But he’s already brought attention to Reseda, a school that has struggled to gain sports success.
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