Pahrump Valley High School sophomore Raegan Saldaña capped her postseason with a personal record at Regionals and an eighth-place finish at the Nevada State girls’ golf tournament, earning a spot among the top 10 in a field of 33 golfers.
Saldaña’s path to State began at Aliante on Oct. 7 and 8, where she opened the regional tournament with an 89. She followed that performance with a personal-best 85 on the second day, finishing with a two-day total of 174. Her performance made her the top individual qualifier among golfers advancing without a qualifying team.
The regional finish earned Saldaña a trip to Elko and gave the PVHS community an opportunity to celebrate her accomplishment before she left town.
On Monday, Oct. 12, teachers, family and friends gathered to give Saldaña a sendoff as she headed to the State tournament. Members of the Nye County Sheriff’s Office also joined the celebration, providing an escort out of town as she began the trip north.
State competition took place Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 13 and 14, at Ruby View Golf Club, where cold temperatures and snowy weather added another challenge to the opening round. Saldaña shot an 89 on the first day, matching her opening-round score from Regionals despite conditions far different from those she typically encounters in Southern Nevada.
She returned Wednesday and shot a 101, bringing her tournament total to 190 and placing her eighth overall.
While Saldaña hoped for a stronger second round, her mother, Jessica Saldaña, emphasized the progress behind the finish.
“Such an improvement over last year,” Jessica said. “And that’s why we have to keep focusing.”
The postseason gave Saldaña several accomplishments to carry forward: a personal record, the top individual qualifying position at Regionals and a top-10 finish at State as a sophomore. It also provided experience competing through difficult weather on the state stage.
Jessica said her daughter’s disappointment reflected her belief that she could play better—and her determination to return.
“She knows she could do better and she’s gonna work her butt off and come back next year,” she said.
*Regional and State play photos provided by Head Coach Sierra McKillips.
