Tigers in chase for girls State 4A golf title

The Lewis and Clark Tigers put three players high on the leaderboard and pretty much matched scores with two-time defending champion Bellarmine Prep on a blustery Tuesday at the State 4A girls golf tournament.

The Lions, however, have a couple of more scoring options, with six qualifiers compared to the Tigers’ four. Still, it shapes up as an interesting chase for the championship entering today’s final round at MeadowWood.

The same goes for the individual title after LC senior Sydney Kersten, Bellarmine Prep’s Alivia Brown and Central Kitsap’s Katie Lee fired even-par 72s to share the lead. Six others, including LC freshman Sierra Kersten (74) and senior Megan Haase (76), are within four shots of the leaders.

“We’re always kind of at a disadvantage no matter what we do,” Tigers coach Michelle Grafos said, referring to six Greater Spokane League 4A teams battling for seven qualifying spots. “I have four and we’re playing four on six. Four is a great year out of Spokane. They have 37 (qualifying) spots (from three leagues) and when they take six they’re at an advantage.”

Four Tigers and six Lions advanced to the second round (top 40 and ties). Mead’s Kristen Hansen shot 77 and Lydia Kim had 80 to advance. Bellarmine Prep had four of the 14 players who broke 80 – Brown (72), Jordan Ferreira (73), Olivia Benzin (77) and Gracie Dyer (79).

“Without question, Lewis and Clark is going to give us a run for the money,” Lions coach Mark Bender said.

Sydney Kersten birdied both par 3s on the front side and turned in 1-under. She also birdied the par-3 17th before bogeying No. 18. The last three holes played into a breeze in the 20 mph range.

“You definitely had to factor the wind in and it knocked down a lot of shots,” said the Princeton-bound Kersten, one of several LC valedictorians along with teammate Katie Larson, who shot 84.

Sierra Kersten was even through 16 before finishing with bogeys on 17 and 18. She chipped in for birdie on No. 13.

4A boys

Ferris’ Eric Ansett (78, tied for 12th), Mead’s Evan Dyar (79, tied for 20th) and Central Valley’s Dakota Pearce (80, tied for 25th) advanced to the second day at Hangman Valley. Jackson’s Kyle Cornett shot 74 and leads by one shot.

Twenty-four players broke 80 in windy conditions and 42 made the cut by shooting 82 or better. LC’s John-Michael Larson (83), GSL player of the year Stephen Thoen of Mead (84), Ferris’ Tanner Comes (86) and Gonzaga Prep’s Tiago Correia (87) didn’t advance.

3A girls

Mt. Spokane senior Savana Bezdicek shot 74 and sophomore sister Sierra had 75 in the opening round at Esmeralda. Amanda Beyke of Decatur, Rachel Lewis of Peninsula and Sammie Pless of Holy Names Academy share the lead at 73.

“They had a plan and they stuck to it,” Mt. Spokane coach Eleen Northcutt said. “They’ve set themselves up in a very good position.”

North Central’s Bridgid Rypien advanced with an 89.

3A boys

Five Mt. Spokane players advanced, led by Zack Spencer’s 75 and Marcus Bolam’s 76 at Indian Canyon. Shorewood’s Chris Babcock and O’Dea’s David Fonua shot 2-under 69s and Juanita’s Frank Garber was next at 70.

At least four teams – O’Dea, Southridge, Seattle Prep and Mt. Spokane – appear to be in the title chase. Mt. Spokane is the only team with five players left. “We’re chasing and we know that,” Wildcats coach Greg Schultz said, “but at least we have a shot.”

2B/1B girls

Two-time champion Kira Powell of Odessa-Harrington shot an 85 for a one-stroke lead at Oakbrook Golf and Country Club in Lakewood. Michal Schuster of St. John-Endicott (88) is in third place.