Vikings Win State Golf, Softball Titles Welling Leads Comeback On Back Nine To Give Cda Second Title In Three Years

The Coeur d’Alene High golf team came back to the field Saturday, but not all the way back.

The Vikings hung on for their second State A-1 boys title in three years, riding a four-person contribution of clutch play on the back nine at Avondale.

CdA scored 327 for a two-day total of 638 to edge Idaho Falls (641) and Skyline (642).

“We got through by the skin of our teeth,” said CdA No. 2 player Joe Duplessis with a smile.

The Vikings, who shot 16 shots higher than Friday, played the back side in 16 over after a front of 23 over. No. 5 Doug Welling made the biggest turnaround.

“After the front I thought I had to shoot in the 30s to help the team,” said Welling, who came close with a 40 for an 89. “It’s nice that we were able to fight back because we all played pretty bad on the front side.”

“That’s our senior,” coach Steve Cook said of Welling, the Viks’ lone senior. “We’ve used the word ‘battle’ all year and I don’t think they’ve given up on an entire round this season.”

Sophomore Brad Arnn battled, too. He followed up an unsightly first-day 87 with a workmanlike 79.

“I feel a little better,” Arnn said. “I just scrambled because I didn’t really have my swing again.”

Jarrod Batchelder, Friday’s medalist, led the Vikings for the second straight day. Despite a balky putter, he added a 77 to his first-day 73, capped by a snug approach within 4 feet for a birdie on No. 18.

Batchelder played the last three holes 1-under after a double bogey on No. 15.

Good weekend, Jarrod? “It’s the best of both worlds,” he said, referring to the individual and team titles. “It’s great for Coach (Cook) because the team is what he’s all about.”

Duplessis had trouble stopping the bogey train, but he flashed his long-distance hitting en route to an 82. With the wind at his back on No. 16, a 507-yard par 5, Duplessis drove more than 300 yards and hit 8-iron from 185 yards to within 8 feet for a two-putt birdie.

“Nothing was really happening for me,” Duplessis shrugged, “other than bogeys.”

Cook, who monitored the scores near the 18th green, knew the Viks’ lead was dwindling, but his confidence was resolute.

“My 1, 2 and 3 (players) have been solid all year and my 4 and 5 took turns jumping in,” said Cook, who noted that the title wasn’t just won on Saturday.

Cook lauded season-long efforts of Sean Murphy, who shot 97 Saturday, and part-time varsity Randall Henry. Murphy’s 84 Friday saved CdA three shots, allowing Arnn’s 87 to be tossed out as only the top four scores are counted.

Idaho Falls bunched four players between 77 and 80 Saturday to put the heat on the Vikings. Skyline rode steady Luke Sestero’s second 74 to third place.

Impressive Pocatello freshman Tyler Pearson, who lost in playoff to Batchelder for medalist Friday, shot 79. Capital’s David Renk, fourth on Friday at 74, ballooned to 101. Six of the seven teams shot higher scores on Saturday.

“It was great for our parents, all of them were here supporting the kids,” Cook said. “I’m looking forward to next year (when four of the top five return), but right now I need a long break.”

Girls

Led by Maggie Pierose’s 79 - the only score below 82 in two days - Boise erased a four-shot first-day deficit.

The Braves shot 354 Saturday for a 713 total, 22 shots in front of Lewiston. Boise players and coaches bolted immediately after the awards ceremony to catch a flight home.

Lewiston moved up from fourth as Laura Jefferson had 87 and Virginia Anderson added 88.

First-day leader Rigby skied to 393 before recovering to beat Twin Falls in a playoff for third.

BY THE NUMBERS Coeur d’Alene scoring (327): Batchelder 77, Arnn 79, Duplessis 82, Welling 89. Also: Murphy 97.