GSL trio tied for fifth at girls tournament

BELLINGHAM – Lewis and Clark sophomore Chessey Thomas overcame a shaky start Tuesday to finish in a tie for fifth place after the first round of the State 4A girls golf tournament at a rain-soaked Sudden Valley Golf Course.

Along with Thomas, Mead senior Lauren Howell and University sophomore Kaitlen Parsons lead all Greater Spokane League golfers with 7-over-par 79s for the first round.

Kentwood freshman Rui Li leads all golfers with a 2-under 70, while last year’s champion, sophomore See Hee Moon of Kamiak, is tied for third with a 5-over 77.

Thomas, this year’s District 8 4A champion, began her day by three-putting the first hole for a bogey. She then recovered to shoot either par or birdie on 13 of her remaining 17 holes.

“I started off with a three-putt, but from there on out I was just hitting my short putts and giving myself a chance to birdie,” said Thomas, who placed fourth in the state tournament as a freshman last year.

LC coach Michelle Grafos said Thomas’ experience at last year’s state tournament helped her remain focused despite a few missteps.

“She had a couple of bad holes and just kind of talked herself back into playing well,” Grafos said. “Experience is huge. She played pretty calm out there.”

Of the 80 golfers in the state tournament, 42 made the first-round cut of 92. The GSL sent nine golfers to state and seven made the cut.

Along with Thomas, Howell and Parsons, junior Emily Travis of LC, sophomore Jenna Speltz of U-Hi, senior Brittany Wilcox of Mead and senior Laura Black of LC all qualified for the second round. Black, who is making her first appearance at state, was the last golfer to advance to the second round with a 92.

The two GSL golfers to not make the cut were LC junior Morgan Fuhs and Gonzaga Prep junior Ashley Ruen.

As for the wet conditions, Grafos said it was nothing out of the ordinary for her team.

“We’ve played in the snow all year and in the rain all year,” she said.