TEMECULA:  The Wolves put on a dominant performance during day one of the Big VIII league finals at Temecula Creek Inn (Creek/Oaks).

Entering the competition, Martin Luther King High School was tied for first with Santiago High School. The first nine holes served as the tie-breaker to determine who would be awarded the league title.

Harlan Yapa (12) led the charge with a bogey-free front nine score of 33 (-3) and a final score of 72 (E). Senior Chase Slavin battled through a wrist injury to card an even-par score of 36 and a final score of 73 (+1). Freshman Levi In followed close behind with a front-nine score of 37 (+1) and a final score of 80 (+8). MLK recorded their lowest 9-hole team score of the season when they needed it most.

With a score of 187 to Santiago’s 198, the Wolves reclaimed their place as league champions and will participate in team CIF competition. After winning the title in back to back to back seasons from 2022-2024, the Wolves’ reign was temporarily displaced last season but is now back “home.”  It is the 13th league title for the program since the school’s inception in 1999.

The rest of the round served as a qualifier for the second day of competition.

The top-16 golfers advance from the original group of 36 with the hopes of securing one of the seven available CIF individual spots. Five of MLK’s six golfers (Harlan Yapa, Chase Salvin, Levi In, Dustin Garrett, & Joshua Lance) played their way into the top-16 to advance to the final day of competition.

Coach Takano was extremely proud of his team’s “grit and determination” as they executed some “golf shots in clutch moments”. “My guys have got a real chance to make a deep run in the postseason”, said Takano.

The team will return to Temecula Creek Inn for Thursday’s final round.