Athlete of the Week: Kadi Pallastrone

Riverview High golfer Kadi Pallastrone shot a combined 146 and then won an eight-hole playoff to win the Class 3A girls state championship Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, at Howey-in-the-Hills.

The Pine View School senior became the first female to win a state golf championship for Riverview.
Following her state championship performance, Pallastrone signed a national letter of intent to play golf for Queens University in Charlotte, N.C.

Winning the state title was an amazing feeling. I never expected to win. I was just out there playing my best and having fun. It was such an unexpected surprise, but I am so happy and so grateful that it happened.

To be a state champion means that I get to represent my school and my city, and it just feels amazing. I am so honored.

During the playoff, my adrenaline was rushing and I was so nervous. I was just trying to stay as calm as I could and keep myself in the game as long as I could, always trying to give myself chances. 

(Everyone told me to just) go out and play your best and just have fun because being at states is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You never know if you will get there again, so you have to embrace the experience and make it as memorable as you can.

I am going to miss my teammates so much. They make the high school golf experience worthwhile, and, without them, it wouldn’t have been the same. They are a great bunch of girls; and I’m so proud at all we have achieved over these last four years. 

I am very excited for the great competition I am going to encounter (at the collegiate level) and challenging myself as a player and seeing how good I can be. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]