Bethany Wu had no expectations for competing in the CIF-Southern Section finals.

Heck, the Diamond Bar High School sophomore did not even realize she was competing in the top event in the CIF-SS until after she arrived at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills.

Yet, her 3-under-par 69, one of only two golfers to break par, won the 18-hole tournament.

"Actually, I did not know I was playing for it that day," Wu said. "I thought it was just the qualifier for the next stage (of CIF-SS competition). So I didn't really know. But right before I teed off, I found out when coach (Tony McCabe) told me."

Wu won by two strokes on the par-72 course.

"It was a really nice day, but the course was pretty hard," she said.

"That's why I can see why there were all of the high scores."

McCabe said the course had just had work completed on its greens and was set up more like for a professional tournament, not a high school tourney.

A week later, Wu finished tied for seventh in the CIF State-WSCGA Foundation Southern California finals.

She also helped the Brahmas to the CIF-SS Eastern title. That sent Diamond Bar to the CIF-SS qualifier, where the Brahmas finished second and the CIF State-WSCGA team competition. The Brahmas played second, 19 points behind winner Torrey Pines. Wu tied for third-low medalist in the CIF-SS team competition with a 68. She shot an even-par 72 in the state tournament, tied for second low medalist. 

Senior KRISTIE YANG was named as part of the newspaper's FIRST TEAM: The Southern Illinois-bound senior gave the Brahmas the second of the 1-2 punch to win a CIF-SS team title and then finish second in state. In the CIF-SS individuals, she finished tied for 21st in the CIF-SS finals with a 79 and shot an 81 in the CIF Southern California State tournament.

PHOTO BY Keith Birmingham (Pasadena Star-News)