Things have come together nicely for the Kentwood High girls golf team.
In fact, things could not have gone any better for the Conquerors during the South Puget Sound League Medalist tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 20-21 at Bremerton’s Gold Mountain Golf Course.
Behind a near flawless performance by Catherina Li, the Conquerors cruised to the team title with 511 strokes, followed by Tahoma (556) and Thomas Jefferson (556).
Li, a freshman who is the younger sister of former Kentwood star Rui Li, carded a two-day total of 149 and finished in a two-way tie for first place with Thomas Jefferson’s Alexus Song. Song persevered on a three-hole tiebreaker, but it hardly took away from Kentwood’s overall performance.
The top 13 finishers in the tournament earned automatic state berths while those 14-35 will compete in a state qualifier in May against teams from the Narrows League and Greater St. Helens League. In past years, between the top 17-19 finishers earned berths to the state tournament, which is slated for May 24-25 at a yet-to-be determined course.
The Li-led Conquerors nabbed at a minimum of five state berths while teammates Jenna Clavin, who finished in 17th place, and Stephanie Cogswell, who finished in 19th place, remain on the bubble.
“They mesh together well,” said Kentwood coach Cheryl Havener, explaining her team’s success this fall. “It’s a solid unit. They get along, they like each other, they support each other and it has been a fun group to work with.”
That could be said of the entire North Division during the two-day tournament. Of the top 17 finishers, 14 compete in the North.
Also advancing for the Conquerors will be: Chelsea Brossard (6th/171), Erika Vossbeck (8th/173), Ravae Canas (10th/174) and Jamie Huo (12th/176).
The numbers alone give Kentwood a strong shot at its first state title on the golf course.
“I’ve thought that (we could win it) for the last three years,” Havener laughed. “We just haven’t gotten it done. I am very hopeful.”
And while it was a banner day for the Conquerors, Tahoma also delivered a strong performance, led by standout Amanda Fairweather, who carded a two-day total of 155 (81-74) to bring home a fourth-place finish. Tahoma’s Emily Clarkson (15th/178) and Alysha Bethune (16th/179) also will have an opportunity in the spring to advance to state.
Kentridge’s Hannah Kim, who carded a 164 for sixth place, was the lone Charger female to earn a state berth.
Meanwhile, Kentridge super sophomore Ahren Young continued to shine in the boys tournament, bringing home a fifth-place finish (157), which proved to be the top performance among the Kent School District teams. Young will be joined at state by teammate Ryan Smith, who took 13th (163).
Kentlake’s Alex Carroll and Tahoma’s Steven Sveda also enjoyed strong performances, tying for eighth at 158. Kentwood freshman Connor Sims rounded out the cast of local boys advancing, shooting a 162 for 12th place.
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