RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers took part in their annual end-of-season awards dinner, which was hosted at the home of head coach Brian Botsford on Thursday, May 14. 

Approximately 40 players and family members were in attendance for the event, where Botsford recognized the entire Lancers’ roster for their contributions during the spring season, with various items handed out serving as a momento for a job well done.

Players also received their varsity letters, and two players in particular, sophomore Eli Cervantes and senior Mason Gibbons, were recognized as coveted “Coaches’ Award”. Gibbons was unable to attend the event so his father, Jeff Gibbons, accepted the award on his behalf. 

“The leadership they both show not only on the course but in the classroom is big,” Botsford said. “Both are very good students and the teachers enjoy their personalities and hard work. For Eli, it was about his hard work and being able to get to where he did (being named as an All-Metro League performer) and making it to the Divisionals. For Mason, it really was about him being kind of a coach. I actually match him up with some of the younger rookie players because he'll give them pointers as they go along and play.”

During the event Botsford made it a point to recognize the players that have been with the program in each of the three years that he has been head coach and are set to graduate including seniors Maddox Tran, Nate Zilles, Justin Rai and the aforementioned Gibbons. He cited them as players who have helped build the program over the years and whom he appreciates as they are set to move on.

Botsford noted that in his final message to the team, he is hoping the returning players for next year will help recruit more potential players to help the program next spring. This season the team enjoyed a strong turnout and ended the year with 14 players, a record number for the team during Botsford’s tenure.

The future looks promising for the golf program at Cordova High.