Council Grove finishes 9th at state, Thompson leads Osage City
By Joey Berlin
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Getting back to the state tournament, and starting what’s hoped to be another long run of appearances there, was enough for Council Grove girls golf coach Dennis Throne this year — even though the results at state were less than stellar.
Led by freshman Megan Keplar’s medal finish in a 19th-place tie, the Braves carded a 494 on Wednesday at Emporia Municipal Golf Course, finishing just ninth out of 12 teams in the Class 3-1A state tournament. Senior standout Rhiannon Downes only managed a 64 on the front nine for the Braves, dooming her to a disappointing 40th-place showing.
But the return to state following last year’s absence — which snapped a string of seven consecutive appearances for the Council Grove girls — will keep Throne from feeling disappointed.
“I think we probably expected to compete a little bit better than we did today,” Throne said. “But I’m very pleased with the season. I told the girls that regardless of what happens today, that’s not gonna distract from any of our accomplishments throughout the season.”
Keplar was consistent, firing a 55 on the front side and a 56 on the back nine to finish with a 111, tying her for 19th with Hoisington’s Blakelee Cooper. Downes regrouped after her front-side 64, shooting a 55 on the back end for a 119. Nicole Peterson shot a 128 for the Braves, Hannah Vondemkamp and Bailey Castillo each carded a 136 and Kayla Noer shot a 163.
“But the girls competed, gave it their best and when you get to this level, the course kind of separates you out,” Throne said. “So I’m very pleased with our performance this year, and we’re gonna leave here proud.”
Osage City sent three golfers to Emporia for state. Shanda Thompson led the Indians’ representatives, shooting a 110 to finish in a tie for 17th place. Alison Thompson carded a 133 and Liza Mussatto shot a 141.
Goodland took home the Class 3-1A state team title, posting a team score of 416 to beat Larned by six strokes and Holcomb by 18. Chelsie Gausman led Goodland with a score of 96 and a fourth-place finish, and Amber Douglas also cracked the top 10, finishing eighth with a 104.
Rossville’s Taylor Fagan took home the individual state crown, shooting an 89 to beat Syracuse’s Kamie Rash by one stroke. Jordan Albers of Oakley, Gausman and Emily Tanner of Larned rounded out the top five.
Hoisington finished fourth in the team standings, followed by Silver Lake, Lakin, Fredonia and Rossville. Finishing below Council Grove in 10th through 12th were Pretty Prairie, Galena and Uniontown.