Eric Ansett, Sierra Kersten win 4A district golf
Eric Ansett tried not to dwell on thoughts of déjà vu on the final round of the District 8 4A boys golf tournament. Really, he insisted.
The Ferris golfer carded a second straight sub-par 68 at MeadowWood Golf Course in Liberty Lake Thursday to post a 36-hole total of 136 to capture the title.
But his Saxon teammate, Tanner Comes, carded a second-day 65 – one stroke off of Ansett’s course record – to card a 72-65 137.
“Tanner was just awesome today,” Ansett said. “I think that was the best round I’ve ever seen him play. But … I knew I was in good shape. I had a good round and stayed out of trouble.”
A year ago Comes had a similar second-day of this tournament and won the district title.
“I was thinking about it, for sure,” Comes said. “It was an almost identical situation.”
Except for the ninth hole, that is. Comes bogeyed the hole – his only bogey on the day.
“I’m going to be thinking about that one for a while,” Comes laughed.
Gonzaga Prep’s Michael Brutocao carded a 141 for third place, with Mead’s Matthew Heckel and Graham Gustofson finishing with a 147 and 149, respectively, to claim spots in the state tournament. Isaac Hall of Lewis and Clark needed a two-hole playoff with Adam Martin of Ferris to claim the final state tournament spot. Both finished 26 holes in 153.
Lewis and Clark’s defending state champion, Sierra Kersten captured the District 8 4A girls title by 12 strokes over her nearest competition, posting a second-round par-73 to go with her one-under 70 Tuesday for a 36-hole score of 143.
Mead’s Lydia Kim finished second in 155. Gonzaga Prep’s Kelly Hooper shot 158 for third, with LC’s Kassidy Krug fourth with a 159. Mead’s Emily Herbster shot 162 and Prep’s Hannah Reickers was at 165 to claim state berths.
Mt. Spokane’s Sierra Bezdicek finished her runaway with the District 8 3A girls tournament, posting a round of 74 to go with her opening round 73 to finish with a 36-hole total of 147, 21 strokes better than her nearest competitor, Megan Billeter, who finished at 168.
In all, five Wildcats qualified for state. Cailin Spencer (176), Breanna Jensen (178) and Hailey Warren (182).
University sends two golfers to state, Katie Ochoa finished third, carding 173, with Hannah Gropp sixth at 181.
The day’s big surprise came in boys 3A, where first-round leader Nick Renner of Mt. Spokane gave back his four-stroke lead, posting a 79 for a two-round 151, where he shared the district title with Shadle Park’s Mitchell Weipert, who turned in a 75 at Meadowwood to go with his 76 at Downriver.
Mt. Spokane’s Sam Stiles was a stroke back after carding his second straight 76 to finish at 152.
The Wildcats qualified four for the state tournament, with Ethan Wood (159) and Austin Meng (161).
University’s Nicholas Dixon shot a 79 to go with his first-round 78 for a fourth-place finish with a 157. Harrison Geissinger of Rogers captured the final state berth.