Cadriel tunes up for senior year

Even with the blistering heat and windy conditions Matt Cadriel accomplished a feat that eluded him three times during the school year.

Cadriel carded 10 birdies on his way to a 3-under par finish to win the 2008 South Texas Junior Golf Classic Saturday at the Harlingen Country Club Golf Course.

In a field loaded with the Rio Grande Valley's best golfers the soon-to-be Hanna senior broke through on the final day holding off 2006 champ Brenden Reyna of Weslaco who finished second at even-par (144).

"It was a tough field to compete in," Cadriel said. "(By winning) I have more confidence now (heading into the rest of summer golf).

During the 2007-08 golf season at Hanna the Golden Eagle finished second three times including a runner-up finish in the 32-5A District tournament where his team nipped the Weslaco Panthers by one stroke to claim the title.

With three seniors leaving Cadriel is the likely No.1 golfer on Hanna's team next season and coach Adrian Garcia said since his tenure with the Golden Eagle program the 16-year-old ace is one of the best golfer's he's coached.

"Matt is one of the top three golfers I've ever had at Hanna," Garcia said. "He is probably the best ball striker and for him to shoot 70-71 at Harlingen Country Club is amazing because that is not an easy golf course."

Paired with Reyna on the final round of play Cadriel took a two-shot lead into the 18th hole where his drive went astray into the trees.

With a two-stroke advantage Cadriel punched out of the trees short of the green and routinely got up and down to win the STJGC.

"(Winning) never really crossed my mind until I got to the last hole," Cadriel said. "I knew it was just me and Brenden."

The perennial district contending boys in brown and gold will ostensibly be neck and neck with the Panthers for next season's ti-tle.

With summer just getting started Cadriel is looking forward to a string of tournaments to get him ready to help defend the team's 32-5A title.

"I've got to keep playing strong," he said. "I'm going to have to step up and be a leader (this year)."

Next on tap for Cadriel will be the three-day Starburst Junior Golf Classic in Waco which is the second largest junior golf tour-nament in the country.