Golf team takes 2nd at tourney

OSKALOOSA - It is a new year with new leaders for the Washington High School girls golf team and they are stepping up to the challenge.

The Demons played their first 18-hole tournament of the season Thursday and exceeded their coach's expectations.

'Going into today, I was going to be pleased if we broke 390, so we did a great job,” Washington's Len Kull said.

The Demons posted a 378 team total for their score. Grinnell won with a 372. Centerville was nine strokes back, finishing third in the 12-team tournament.

'It was a cold, windy, tough playing conditions but nobody complained even though it was hard to focus because that wind was howling and it caused some issues,” Kull said.

Bella Amador-Lacson of Grinnell carded an 84 to claim medalist honors, but the next two individuals were both Demons.

Kiki Guo shot a 43 on the front nine and a 42 on the back nine for her total of 85. Josie Tanner carded 42 and 46 for her total of 88.

'Kiki and Josie felt some pressure but they did well,” Kull said. 'They did let mistakes affect them more than usual. They are in a new situation being leaders instead of the support. They are handling it well.”

Other scores for Washington were Emily Waite's 45-52-97, Carly Burlingame's 55-53-108, Emma Nichols' 58-57-115 and Madison Fishback's 60-60-120.

'Emily was high scoring at our last meet, but rebounded well and broke 100 for the first time,” Kull said. 'I am sure Carly is ready to break out. She did a lot of good things. Emma did excellent. She was pleased with how she played. Madison posted her best rounds of the year.”

The Demons return to nine-hole play Monday, traveling to Southeast Conference foe Fairfield for a triangular with Mt. Pleasant.

'I was very pleased with how the team battled,” Kull said. 'We are going to practice (today) and have some fun with a best-shot contest. The girls have been working hard and improving, so we are going to do something different in practice.”

TEAM SCORES - 1. Grinnell 372, 2. Washington 378, 3. Centerville 387, 4. Pella 397, 5. Norwalk 407, 6. PCM 413, 7. Winterset 421, 8. Mt. Pleasant 427, 9. Ottumwa 440, 10. Oskaloosa 448, 11. Knoxville 454, 12. Albia no team score