Even though the Northern 3A girls golf team title was decided a few weeks ago, there was still plenty of drama left to play out in the final two tournaments of the season on Monday and Tuesday.
Lowry High School’s Tatyana Carlson and Elko’s Annika Criss were still battling for Player of the Year honors.
Following 18 holes at the Fallon and Fernley golf courses, the duel between the two golfers was left in a tie. Carlson and Criss each won one of the tournaments and the duo were considered co-Players of the Year.
Carlson got the best of Criss in Fallon on Monday, winning in a playoff after both girls shot 86.
“I was so relieved winning that playoff,” Carlson said. “It was great competition and honestly it was really fun to go into a playoff again. I'm also very excited for our team. We played phenomenal, even though some us didn’t think we did great. We got second place and I am proud.”
Elko won the tournament with a 375 and Lowry was second at 414. Churchill County was third on its home course at 444 and Spring Creek (450) and Fernley (453) rounded out the top five.
Lowry’s Hannah Havens tied for sixth place with a round of 100. Freshman Angelina Martinez was 13th with a score of 111. Mekenzie Vandemark shot a career-best 117.
“I feel great,” Vandemark said. “I had a better score than my home course. I am definitely getting better as the season goes on.”
Freshman Kaitlyn Hales finished with a 141, which was also a career best for her.
“I felt that I am getting more comfortable on the course and with the team,” Hales said.
Lowry broke 400 for the first time this year in the season finale in Fernley. The Lady Bucks shot 392 to secure second place for the season standings. Elko won the tournament at 352. Spring Creek was third with a 405 and Churchill County (427) and Fernley (432) completed the top five.
Criss was the low medalist with a round of 73. Carlson finished second with a round of 84 and Elko’s Caresse Basaraba was third ay 89.
Martinez saved her best for last, as she broke 100 for the first time this season and finished fourth with a round of 92.
“I am very excited about state and I am very confident we will do well at state,” Martinez said. “As far as me shooting my best score, I am happy that I had a great day and I can’t wait until state.”
Havens tied her best round of the year with a 94, as she tied for fifth place. Vandemark finished with a 122 and Hales shot another personal best, finishing at 135.
“I am definitely ready for state,” Havens said. “I do want to work on on a few things leading up to state that will keep me in the low 90s.”
Lowry travels to Pahrump on Wednesday and Thursday for the NIAA 3A State Championships.
Elko and Spring Creek will also make the trip down to southern Nevada to represent the Northern 3A.
Boulder City won the Southern 3A Regional Championship that was held on Monday and Tuesday. The Eagles shot 357 and 346 for a two-day total of 703.
SECTA (743) and Pahrump Valley (766) also qualified for the state tournament.
Boulder City's Lani Potter, the defending 3A state champion, won the regional championship with a 1-over total of 147.
Elko is the defending 3A state champion and Boulder City finished second last year.
