Golf On The Lip Sinks Cv’S Smith

One bad hole and putts that refused to fall barely kept Central Valley’s Brandon Smith from the State 4A golf tournament’s top 10.

Smith shot a two-day total of 150 to finish seven strokes off the lead and one shot away from a tie for sixth place.

“He played solid, but didn’t make his putts,” said coach Barry Poffenroth. “He must have lipped six birdie putts out. That’s how solid he played.”

Smith also yanked a four-iron into a hazard on one hole to record a double bogey on the second day.

Five players shared sixth with 149 at soggy The Cedars in Vancouver.

CV teammate Michelle Grafos continued her late-season surge with a two-day total 172 and tied for 20th.

“She peaked at the right time, including a first-round district score in the 70s,” said Poffenroth. “She hadn’t shot in the 70s all year. When it happens, it’s like something clicks on.”

Smith, a senior, is headed for the University of Arizona next year. Grafos is a junior.

During 3A competition, East Valley state veteran Brian Miacolo shot 155 at the Fort Lewis Golf Club near Tacoma. He tied for eighth overall.

West Valley’s Melanie LaRoque and Amy Wieber were 19th and 24th in the girls tournament.

Lektorich earns chance to defend

A year ago, University’s Casey Lektorich surprised the field to win the javelin at state.

A late-season surge this year put her in Friday’s state field again. She is one of 71 Valley athletes participating in the two-day Star Track XVI in Tacoma.

Results of her event are in today’s Sports section.

East Valley, including three relay teams, sent a whopping 22 boys and girls athletes to the 3A portion of Star Track. Three other schools sent 10 apiece.

Lektorich had struggled much of the year with throws in the 117 foot range, well below last year’s state best 133-7.

Then at district she bounced back up to 126-7 for second place.

“I’m doing a lot better than I have been the last couple of weeks,” said Lektorich at the time. “Hopefully I’m out of my slump.”

During regional she gave every indication she was, with a personal best 134-9 to finish second, three inches out of the lead.

Teammate Julie Schroeder, a two-event state placer who was injured much of this year, got off a state qualifying 35-1 triple jump and will perform today.

Freeman distance runner John Russell was the Scotties lone boys 1A state qualifier, but eight girls, in six events and two relays are competing at Eastern Washington University.

They guided Freeman to second in the District 6-7 girls meet last Saturday in Chelan.

Of interest to all classifications is the girls pole vault which is being contested as an exhibition at state this year, but has gained in stature.

West Valley’s Jenny Gregorak cleared 10-feet in regionals which ties her for second, a foot behind leader Libby Ludlow of 3A Interlake. Central Valley’s Emily Roberts has gone 9-6 and Freeman’s Tracie Duncan won district at 9-3.

Scotties smoke tennis field

Freeman boys tennis players made short work of their opposition in the District 7/9 1A/B tournament to qualify.

The Scotties scored 61 points to runnerup Ritzville’s 13 during last weekend’s event.

Jesse Lamon won singles to qualify for state and Shaun Padden finished third.

Doubles was an all-Freeman finale with Dan Irish and Andy Duncan beating P.K. Lipp and Eric Fulkerson for the state berth.

Freeman’s girls tied St. George’s for first with 22 points, the doubles team of Nikki and Heidi Zuber finishing second and singles player Marissa Dahmen placing third.

Hangman handicap tourney champ

A champion was determined following three rounds of the annual Hangman Valley Ladies 18-Hole Golf Club Handicap Tournament.

Fran Nord won the title with a three-round net total of 215.

Flight A winner was Noreen Sale at 229, a stroke ahead of Marlene Thies.

In B flight, Margaret Sims won with 223. Sue Henley won over Kathy Thiesen after the pair tied in C flight with 228. D flight went to Susan Crosby with 235.

During last week’s outing, Thies netted 71. Nord and Donna Ogilvie shot 95 low gross, and Sims netted 32 in B.

C flight went to Thiesen with a net 76 and D to Crosby with net 77.