For Mariner golfer Jazzelle Caparas, putting in hours of extra work is the norm.
One day earlier this month, the junior standout spent six hours doing putting drills in preparation for the upcoming district tournament, Marauders coach Jennifer Hampton said.
“It’s not unusual for her to go play another round of nine or 18 holes after we’re done with practice,” Hampton said.
Caparas enters as one of the top golfers in the Class 4A girls state tournament, which takes place Tuesday and Wednesday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.
Caparas took first place in all four of Mariner’s conference matches this season and claimed the 4A Northwest District tournament title last week with a two-round total of 152. She finished three strokes ahead of Kamiak’s Jane Kim, who placed second in last year’s 4A state tournament.
“She’s really great all around, but I’ve been consistently impressed with some of her drives this year,” Hampton said. “She takes risks teeing off that you don’t see other players taking. She’ll hit over trees or at an angle across a hazard, rather than playing it safe and going down the fairway.
“I think what makes her better than so many of the other people she’s competing with is her willingness to take risks.”
Hampton said Caparas has competed in non-school tournaments throughout her life, but this is her first season playing at the high school level.
Caparas often practices with her older brother, Rudy, who won the 4A boys state title with Lynnwood in 2014.
“She really pushes herself to improve every time that she plays,” Hampton said. “She’s got a really positive attitude, but she’s good about critiquing herself to help herself grow.”
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