Girl Power
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Perez, Allen duo post impressive scores
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Viviana Perez, Dinwiddie, 10/2/07
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by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
HOPEWELL - Viviana Perez played like a man amongst boys.
Beg your pardon. A woman amongst boys.
The Dinwiddie sophomore finished a 161 yesterday to tie for the best female score at the boys Central Region golf tournament that finished up Tuesday at Jordan Point Golf Course in Hopewell.
"I definitely liked how I did today," said Perez, who tied with Matoaca's Kendall Allen for the top female score. "My goal wasn't to make the boys' states but if it happened, it happened. I really just wanted to play well and do my best, and I think I did that. Even playing with the guys."
Perez has done that and more.
She carries herself like she's a seasoned senior instead of a relative newcomer who won't reach her 16th birthday until January 2008.
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Viviana Perez' 161 put her in contention for the boys state tournament until other groups came in. She had already qualified for the girls state tourney before the event.
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Perez started swinging a club as an 11-year-old but didn't play in a tournament until she was 13. You can't tell the way she strikes the ball and the numbers she puts up.
Her 79 rivaled many scores on Monday, as most were 80 or over. She slipped to 82 on Tuesday but still had a showing that generated applause from her peers, tying or beating 58 of 71 competitors.
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Yes, the girl's tees are several yards in front of the guys, but the performance of Perez and her fellow females was undeniable.
Now she takes her game to the state level two weeks from now at the Fairfax National Golf & Country Club, her second straight state tournament appearance.
"My goal is never to win," Perez said. "I think winning is tough. I just want to play my best."
Perez played with some of the best on a national level about a month ago. She qualified and participated in the Wal-Mart Open in Pebble Beach, Calif., playing with top juniors and Champions Tour competitors.
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Prince George's Sydney Hudson shot a 179.
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Perez, who is Hispanic, met her hero and women's No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, as well as several other prominent golfers.
"Getting to meet my idol was the best," Perez said. "It was amazing. I hope to qualify next year."
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Seeing Triple
The
past two days it looked like one female was all over the course. You'd
see her at the first hole and then see her at the fifth and wonder how
did she get there that fast.
Well, Kendall and Lauren Allen of Matoaca had everyone fooled. They are part of a set of triplets that led Matoaca to a third-place finish.
Kendall tied Perez with a 161, Lauren posted a 163 and brother Ben Allen tallied a 165 as the Warriors finished three shots back of second-place Deep Run.
* Click here to view the entire photo gallery and to purchase photos!
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Is this Kendall or Lauren Allen? Only they would know.
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