What a country.

Katerina Ruzickova has been in the United States for four months and already she’s a state champion.

Marcos de Niza celebrates day of firsts

SLIDESHOW: 5A Girls Golf State Championship

The 17-year-old from Phoenix Xavier backed up her first-round score of 1-under-par 71 with another 71 on Tuesday to win the 5A girls golf individual state title at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen. Ruzickova’s 142 score was one shot better than teammate Kaira Martin and two shots better than teammate Kimberly Kim.

From the Czech Republic, Ruzickova wanted to come to the United States three years ago, but circumstances made it impossible until this year. Needless to say, she was excited to be the state champion.

“I came here to improve the mental part of my game and practice as much as I could and to try to win state,” Ruzickova said.

The three Gators were the only players in the field at par or better in the 36-hole state championship.

As a result, Xavier defended its state championship once again to earn its 11th straight state title and 27th overall.

“I wanted to be useful and help the team and be a part of it,” Ruzickova said.

The Gators’ two-day score of 586 was 28 shots better than second-place Chandler Hamilton and 77 shots better than third-place Tempe Corona del Sol. It took a team effort by Xavier because, for one of the few times in the last 11 years, it was challenged by another team — Hamilton. The Huskies were just 11 shots off the lead after the first day.

“We had a chance, but I’m a realist,” Hamilton coach Kevin Krahenbuhl said. “We would have had to play good and Xavier would have had to play bad.”

Hamilton was riding high following the first round after Younjin Kim’s 68. She had a second-day 77 and finished tied for fourth with teammate Kyung Kim.

The good news for Hamilton is that everyone returns next year, with the exception of senior Sebin Kim.

“I knew coming into this we were easily the second-best team,” Krahenbuhl said. “We’ll be better next year.”