WINNEMUCCA - It may not mean anything in the standings but don't tell that to the Lowry High School girls golf team.
The Lady Bucks, who battled Elko for supremacy in the Division I-A a season ago, kicked off the 2012 year in style, by winning a regional Icebreaker in Winnemucca on Thursday.
Lowry hosted four other schools at Winnemucca Municipal Golf Course and ran away with the team title with a score of 365. Elko, the defending state champion, was second at 416. Spring Creek (425) finished third and Churchill County (540) placed fourth. Dayton brought just three golfers and did not qualify for a team score.
"That definitely exceeded my expectations for today," said LHS head coach Andrew Meyer. "I didn't think we would be around 365. I am very happy for the girls. I think we are going to have a solid four or five players compared to a solid three like we had last year. That will be a big improvement for us and create more competition."
After a successful freshman campaign, Alyssa Dendary started her sophomore season on high note, as she was the low medalist with an 82. Her teammate, Cortney Kieser, the 2009 and 2011 Division I-A Player of the Year, was second with a round of 86. Elko's Kaity Beatty was third at 87.
"Alyssa definitely had a good round," Meyer said. "Yeah, it is our home course but it is a tough one. The scores here are usually a little higher than other courses around the league. Cortney wasn't too happy with her score but I am pleased with the way she played for the first time out. It was a good chance to shake off the cobwebs and see what we have to work on. Both girls have worked hard on their game."
Ning Landt, playing in her first tournament for Lowry, placed fourth overall with a 93. The Round Mountain transfer finished eighth at last year's Division III state championships. Tori Echeverria started 2012 on a high note by placing eighth with a round of 104. Caitlin Orr, another transfer for the Lady Bucks, carded a 114, while Macy Alvarez shot a 143.
"It is good for the girls to get out there and play 18 holes with other girls and get some of the nerves out of the way," Meyer said. "That was the score I was looking to see from Ning and Tori played very well. That is a good score to open the year. Caitlin surprised me a little bit and with some work, she can break 100. She has a nice swing."
Lowry played 10 of its 11 girls and Sarah Betteridge had the best score out of that remaining group with a 121. Abby DeLaMora shot a 127, followed by McKenzie Moore at 127 and Rachel Jones (170).
After Beatty's 87 for Elko, MaKayla Johnson shot a 99, Alyssa Pete 113, Jenica Chappell 117, Bailey Watson 131 and Megan Ackerman carded a 125.
Mikal Jerman was next in line for Spring Creek at 98, followed by Madi Jerman (106), Hillary Hutchinson (124), Delaney Herrera (143) and Claire Thiessen (145).
No girl for Churchill County broke 100, with Lani Martin leading the way at 116. Carissa Parson shot a 128 and Tabetha Park and Sarah Evans finished with a 143 and 153, respectively.
Kassandra Acosta led Dayton with a round of 126, Taylor Ingersol shot a 131 and Samantha Cassinelli finished with a 154.
The regular season gets under way on Friday, as Lowry travels to Fallon for a 10 a.m. tee time.
"All in all it was a very exciting Icebreaker," Meyer said. "Qualifying should be interesting for us week to week. I know Elko and Spring Creek are going to get better but so will we. Our goal is to win our league and be one of those top three teams that go to state."
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