Trojan golfers come up empty at districts

MOUNT PLEASANT ? The girls? district golf tournament in Mount Pleasant was the end of the line for Fairfield?s six golfers Monday.

The Trojans? top four combined to score 483 and finish eighth in a seasoned field. Williamsburg won the tournament by one stroke with a score of 375, and Washington finished runner-up at 376. Both Williamsburg and Washington advance to the regional competition.

Mount Pleasant?s Natalie Booton continued her excellent season, earning meet medalist honors with an 83. Washington?s Abby Threlkeld (83), Williamsburg?s Jamie Knock (87), Clear Creek-Amana?s Gabi Scarpa (92) and Abbie Zimmerman of Williamsburg (94) joined Booton to form the low five scores.

Once again it was junior Ashley Henkel, Fairfield?s most experienced golfer, carding the low score for her team. Henkel shot a 55 on the front nine and 60 on the back to finish at 115.

?The key for Ashley lately is she has figured out how to just go out and have fun,? said Fairfield head coach Joe Kruzich. ?She?s figured she can relax and her game will go better, and it has.?

Several Trojan seniors wrapped up their first full season as varsity golfers Monday, as Tori Ogden, Rachael Gros and Abi Messer all scored for Fairfield. Ogden finished the day with a 120 after shooting a 57 on the back nine, Gros checked in with a 122 and Messer tallied a 126.

Kristen Terrell, a junior, carded a 136 on the 18-hole course, and senior Haley Williams scored a 145.

Though it was the first year on the team for many of the golfers, it also was the first full season for Kruzich, who said he?s learned a great deal about his coaching role over the past few months.

?I would say this will be the group that paves the way for me rebuilding the program,? the coach said. ?They learned as much about playing the game as I learned about coaching it. It has been a learning experience for all of us.?

Final Team Standings

1. Williamsburg 375, 2. Washington 376, 3. Mount Pleasant 388, 4. Solon 424, 5. Keokuk 433, 6. Benton 434, 7. Clear Creek-Amana 437, 8. Fairfield 483