Washington girls, Liechty make state in golf

OSKALOOSA — For spring sports athletes in 2021, success means a little bit more. It means bouncing back after the 2020 season was axed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It means making up for lost time.

The Washington Demons will be able to do just that when the 2021 girls state golf tournament kicks off next week. Washington dominated the Class 3A regional tournament in Oskaloosa Monday, shooting 317 to win by an astounding 62 strokes.

“We were all pretty disappointed last year that we weren't able to get to play,” senior Kiki Bruner said. “But I think it makes everything better and makes this process more enjoyable.”

Bruner led the Demons with a 71. She shot 36 on the front nine and 35 on the back to win individual medalist honors by four strokes.

“I'm very happy with how I played today,” Bruner said. “I didn't make many mistakes.”

Senior teammate Anna Nacos wasn’t far behind. Nacos shot a 39 on the front nine and a 36 on the back to earn runner-up honors at 75.

As they’ve done all year, the rest of the Demon lineup had plenty to support the Demons’ top two. Josie Tanner shot 82. Kaylin Long finished at 89. Makenna Conrad ended the day at 96, and Alecia Goff shot 105.

“They're athletic, and they put the time in,” said Nacos about her teammates. “That's important. You have to have the third and fourth score be good.”

Mt. Pleasant finished fourth overall as a team, shooting 390. They failed to make the state tournament by 11 strokes, but senior Elli Liechty took fifth place overall, shooting 88.

Liechty was just a couple of shots away from the individual bubble. As scores came in she saw she did enough to get to the state meet for the first time in her career.

“ I was so happy,” Liechty said. “This year was such a good year. We have such a good team and honestly such a good conference to play with.”

Sami Wibben shot a 97 for the second-best Panther score. Ryann Davidson finished at 98. Kylie Walderbach scored 107, and Izabell Yoder ended at 136.

“I was kind of sad because our team didn't get to go,” Liechty said. “I just love our team.”

Mt. Pleasant finished fourth, behind Washington, Lisbon and Knoxville. Fairfield shot a 405 for fifth.

Viola Welsh led Fairfield with a 98. Myah Twohill finished at 100. Macy Rayburn scored 106, and Kate Pettit rounded out the Trojan scorers with 106.

Maggie Rayburn was the fifth Trojan down the list, shooting a 117. Sara Kretz shot 124.

The Class 3A state tournament will take place on June 1 and 2, in Adel. For the Demons, who qualified with the lowest score in all of Class 3A, the goal is clear.

“To win, that's our overall goal,” Nacos said. “But also enjoying every single moment of it.”

TEAM SCORES

1. Washington 317; 2. Lisbon 379; 3. Knoxville 381; 4. Mt. Pleasant 390; 5. Fairfield 405; 6. Keokuk 419; 7. Pella 426; 8. Centerville 431.

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS

1. Kiki Bruner (Washington) 71; 2. Anna Nacos (Washington) 82; 3. Josie Tanner (Washington) 82; 4. Amy Sullivan (Knoxville) 87; 5. Elli Liechty (Mt. Pleasant) 88; 6. Kaylin Long (Washington) 89.