Both Star Valley teams are headed back to the 4A State Golf tournament next week in Evanston after both squads qualified in Riverton at the 4A West Regionals.
The Lady Braves won the team title with a score of 571 behind a second-place finish from Kate Ricks who finished with a score of 178. Cody’s Eliana Hopkin won the individual title with a 160. Cody also had the third-place finisher as Ashlyn Wiener placed third. The Fillies did not have a third scorer.
Star Valley’s Paylan Merritt finished fifth with a 193 and Presley Frome shot a 205 to round out the varsity score.
The Braves placed second as a team with a 627. Riverton took the team race on their home course with a 606. Brody Taylor shot a 146 to win the individual title as well for the Wolverines. There was a three-way tie for second place between Riverton’s Cade Kisling and Star Valley’s Deegan Hill and Braxton Johnson, who all shot a 151. Daltyn DeCora shot a 162 and Wyatt Pack carded a 163.
The 4A State Tournament will be played at Purple Sage Golf Course in Evanston this weekend on September 18-19.
“There are some strong teams going into state, and I count us amongst them,” stated coach Kelly Fullmer. “I won’t claim we’re the best team going into state, but we are as good as anyone that will be there.”
This past weekend, the Wolverines were able to take advantage of the knowledge of their home course. This weekend, Star Valley will be very familiar with the state course.
“Against a very good Riverton boys team on their home course, a tricky one they have played hundreds of times, they were hard to beat,” Fullmer said. “But we’re not playing in Riverton at state; we’re at Purple Sage, a course we’ve played a lot. Golf courses are vastly different in regards to their length, difficulty, design, hazards, width, etc. So the course plays a large role in how teams perform on them. So the advantage one of the best teams, Riverton, had on us at home they won’t have in Evanston.”
The Star Valley teams will be battling for high spots on the podium and maybe even the top spot. The program has had some heartbreak and bad luck at times but could end a title drought dating back to 2004.
“Our boys and girls will be competitive and taking a legitimate shot at a state title, something we have rarely had since moving to 4A,” Fullmer added. “So we as coaches are very excited knowing we have a chance to win, when in years past, honestly, making it to state is our goal. Only 8 our 16 4A golf teams make it to state. Our boys and girls are both going to be there, trying to win, not just enjoying being there.”
Individually, Star Valley has a few boys who have a shot at winning. Deegan Hill, Daltyn DeCora, and Braxton Johnson have all shot scores that compete with any golfer in the state.
For the girls, Kate Ricks has produced scores during the season that will put her in contention for a high individual placing.
4A West Girls Team Scores
Star Valley 571
Natrona 590
Evanston 597
Rock Springs 600
Jackson 609
SVHS Girls Scores
Kate Ricks 89/89/178
Paylan Merritt 97/96/193
Presley Frome 100/105/205
Averie Rivard 108/100/208
Tynlee Robinson 109/108/217
4A West Boys Team Scores
Riverton 606
Star Valley 627
Natrona 643
Jackson 661
Evanston 662
Cody 705
Green River 707
Rock Springs 714
SVHS Boys Scores
Deegan Hill 72/79/151
Braxton Johnson 78/73/151
Daltyn DeCora 84/78/162
Wyatt Pack 78/85/163
Vinny Roniger NS/87
