Queens of Clubs: Lady Pirates dominate at state golf tourney
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The Polson girls’ golf team rallied from being behind seven strokes on Friday to win by 20, claiming their second-ever Class A state championship in Hamilton on Saturday. Head coach Bill Owen said he had a balanced team heading into state, which showed in the results. Polson’s depth also proved to be crucial to the team’s success, making all the difference when four Polson girls finished in the top 15 overall.
Makaliah Wilson took seventh place with a score of 194, while Jaylin Kenney was one stroke behind at 195, taking ninth place. Anna DiGiallonardo improved from shooting 105 the first day to 90 the following day to give her team the boost they needed, finishing 10th overall.
“Anna’s improvement was very significant in our success,” Owen said. “We knew we were one of the better teams heading in, but we didn’t know much about the East. Laurel had three great players, but our depth helped us out.”
The Pirates finished with a team tally of 784, a whopping 20 strokes better than Livingston, who led after the opening day by 16 strokes.
“To win by 20 strokes was a big statement for our team,” Owen said. “Having that pressure on us and stepping up was pretty cool to see.”
Owen said he’s proud of Kat Medland, who almost didn’t make the team to begin the season but steadily improved to be a top athlete for Polson. Medland finished 14th overall with a score of 200.
“Kat’s game really stepped up,” Owen said. “She went from almost not making the team to standing out at the end.”
Owen credits his team’s work ethic and cohesiveness with pulling out the state victory.
“That’s how you win titles,” he said. “It’s a team effort; all of us needed to pull together to become a team and win.”
Owen is thrilled with his team’s success at the end of the season, as it provides his athletes something to draw on for future seasons.
“I’m extremely excited,” he added.
Owen loses two seniors, but has a couple talented junior varsity and freshmen heading into the next season.
“I really like where we will be in a year,” he said. “They will be battling for positions, which makes everyone work and play harder.”
SUMMARY
Team scores: Polson 395-389-784, Livingston 397-407-804, Laurel 388-418-806, Whitefish 402-411-813, Anaconda 428-449-877, Lewistown 444-446-890, Dillon 450-441-891, Browning 449-464-913, BillingsCentral 471-470-941, Hamilton 480-462-942, Glendive 472-474-946.
Top 15 individuals: McKenzie Webinger, Lau 158; Kyla Clancy, BC 162; Erin Tabish, WF 165; Alexandra Huber, Ana 191; Emily Buckner, Liv 192; Christal Tokash, Liv 192; Makaliah Wilson, Pol 19;4 Carlee Hart, Lau 194; Jaylin Kenney, Pol 195; Anna DiGiallonardo, Pol 195; Allie Middlestadt, Gle 195; McKenah Blume, Ana 198; Madison Blass, FT 199; Kat Medland, Pol 200; Ashton Smith, Bro 200;
Complete results: Sydney Smith, Lew, 203; Klaire Taylor, WF, 206; Leighton Hirsch, Bel, 210; McKenna Emmerich, CF, 211; Kassade Lemhouse, Dil, 212; Nicole Clairmont, Pol, 212; Charity Ratliff, Har, 212; Nicole Froelich, Liv, 212; Jodi Dion, Gle, 213; Sarah Boyer, Liv, 213; Simone Craft, WF, 214; Hannah Thomas, Lew, 218; Kelsey Peterson, 219; Michaela Amunrud, Liv, 219; Melanie Galle, Ana, 220; Jennifer Vann, Lau, 224; Kristen Cottom, Dil, 226; Haley Craven, WF, 228; Meg Maclean, Ham, 229; Rayann Brown, Lew, 229; Alyssa Heath, Ham, 230; Elle Badgett, Lau, 230; Kali Harrington, BC, 230; Megan Ryan, MC, 230; Jessica Magee, Bro, 230; Kennedi Sheehan, Sid, 232; Taylor Nelson, Dil, 234; Cheyenne Monger, Bel, 235; Cyan Old Cheif, Bro, 237; Mishaila Conway, Ham, 238; Marlee Thomas, Lew, 240; Morgan Love, CF, 243; Emily Winter, Ham, 245; Jamie Burman, MC, 246; Angie Iron Pipe, Bro, 246; Jenn Monger, Lew, 253; Jaymee Badgett, Lau, 257; Malia Morris, WF, 258; Brooke Phipps, Gle, 258; Ashley Munoz, FT, 261; Jordon Cunningham, BC, 261; Jestin Murphy, Har, 263; Ashley Maes, Ana, 270; Emily Morley, Ana, 271; Maggie Panasuk, CF, 272; Terryn Williamson, Bro, 278; Brooke Herring, Gle, 280; Katherine Keith, MC, 282; Mackenzie Redman, BC, 288; Andrea Clark, FT, 334.
