Tennessee Tech women's golf head coach Amanda Smith announced the addition of three players for the 2023-24 athletic season, signing Lydia Baker, Chloe Griffith, and Lexus Julian to national letters of intent to play for the Golden Eagles.
LYDIA BAKERHometown: Jackson, Tenn.High School: Trinity Christian Academy
Baker put together a stellar career at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson, Tenn., playing for head coach Phillip Robinson. She helped lead the team to a runner-up finish at the 2021 TSSAA Division II Class A State Championships, as well as a second-place showing at the Division II Class A Regional Tournament. In 2022, Baker paced TCA to a regional championship.
Individually, Baker got better each season, building off a third-place showing at TSSAA Division II Class A Regional tournament in 2020. As a junior, she turned in a top-10 performance at the state championships before saving her best for last as a senior. In 2022, Baker captured medalist honors at the regional tournament before delivering a sixth-place finish at the state championships.
During her career, she captured numerous accolades and medalist honors, highlighted by 2022 West Tennessee Golfer of the Year honors. A member of the FCA All-Tournament Team in 2020 and 2022, she delivered three medalist showings as a senior prior to her postseason triumph at the regional tournament.
COACH SMITH'S TAKE"We are truly gaining a key asset to our team with Lydia. She brings her all when she plays and is always looking to improve. Not only is this strong in golf, it's also strong as a teammate."
CHLOE GRIFFITHHometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.High School: Huntington Beach High School
Griffith established herself as one of the best golfers in Huntington Beach High School history, playing for head coach Melanie McCaffrey for four years. As a freshman, she helped lead the team to a league championship, picking up All-League-Freshman Second Team honors along the way.
She followed it up with three consecutive All-League First Team accolades and a pair of team MVP honors. The two-time team captain became the only player in HBHS history to compete at the CIF/SCGA Championships, doing so twice during her career. As a senior, she averaged a career-low, nine-hole scoring average of 35, posting the school record for lowest round at 3-under.
As a senior, Griffith earned medalist honors at the Chappy Wheeler Invitational with a two-day total of 145. She competed as a San Diego Jr. Golf Team member for GJAC in Montana and was a three-time participant in the Junior World IMG. Additionally, she captured two wins competing in the San Diego Junior Golf Association and was named a top-five player of the year in 2022.
COACH SMITH'S TAKE"Something that stood out to me about Chloe was her appreciation and love for the sport. She truly has such a great energy for the game. I'm excited to welcome her on board."
LEXUS JULIANHometown: Cookeville, Tenn.High School: Cookeville High School
Julian competed right in Tech's backyard, leading Cookeville High School to its first TSSAA State Championship since 1999 as a senior in 2022. The local product helped CHS to a perfect, 67-0 season, capturing both region and district crowns. She also led the Cavaliers to district titles and region runner-up showings as a freshman and junior.
During her senior campaign, Julian placed fourth individually at the state tournament, picking up All-State honors in addition to All-District and All-Region accolades. She was voted co-Player of the Year for the district after providing seven rounds of par or under during the season. Her scoring average of 73 in 2022 marked a CHS record, as did her career-low rounds of 67 accomplished twice during her four years with the Cavaliers.
Named All-District and All-Region as a sophomore, she qualified for the state tournament as an individual. During her career, Julian competed in numerous Sneds Tour and Mid South Golf Series events, capturing multiple first-place medals and several top-five showings.
COACH SMITH'S TAKE"This is a hometown girl. Coming from Cookeville and representing her high school so well, I know she'll make her family and city proud as a Golden Eagle."
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