Girls: The fearsome foursome
The Lady Pirates, who had been winning tournaments all season and looking like the state favorite, won their second- straight title by a whopping 24 strokes over Billings Central.
While Frenchtown’s Katie Lewis won state medalist honors with a 148, but Polson’s name popped up several times on the leaderboard. Maki shot a 75 to lead first-day golfers, and then followed it up with an 86 for a 161. Kylee Seifert wasn’t far behind, shooting an 85 and 89 for a 174.
“The girls were just wired for success,” Milton said. “Led by Ashley Maki who set the tone with her work ethic and leadership skills, the fearsome foursome just refused to lose and put in the work to be successful. Ashley’s contributions can not be overstated on how well she led this team. She was consistently the one leading the pack and deserves incredibly high praise for her play and leadership.”
Kila Cannon was 16th for the Lady Pirates (189) while Clare Konen notched a 212.
In the previous four years, Polson’s golf program has added two state titles to its name. Ashley Maki has earned the all-state honor four times.
“The depth of our program is what has allowed us to be so successful,” Milton said. “In the last four years we have three state championships, a second, a third, and over 20 All-State selections. These kids have been competing for a long time.”
Milton said as soon as last year’s state championships ended, the girls and boys teams had the goal to win state titles this year. That laser-focus paid off and now the trophy case gets a little more crowded.
“People should know how much the Polson golf community and Polson Bay Golf Course helped these kids succeed,” Milton said. “We have a facility that nurtures and supports junior golfers at all levels and without that support none of this is possible.”
State A Golf Sept. 29-30, Sidney Country Club
GIRLS Team scores — 1, Polson 736; 2, Billings Central 760; 3, Hamilton 767; 4, Frenchtown 799; 5, Sidney 808; 6, Dillon 809; 7, Lockwood 813; 8, Laurel 843.
Individual Top 15: Katie Lewis, Frenchtown 79-69—148 Keni Wade, Bigfork 80-80—160 Ashley Maki, Polson 75-86—161 Jori Haugen, Billings Central 82-88—170 Kylee Seifert, Polson 85-89—174 Alivia Webinger, Laurel 88-86—174 Kiaralynn Weidinger, Lockwood 8887—175 Camille Poncin, Livingston 91-87—178 Emma Hollingsworth, Hamilton 86-93— 179 Skylar LaPierre, Dillon 93-91—184 Anna Prill, Billings Central 83-102—185 Cameron Burnett, Hamilton 96-91—187 Bryn Cianflone, Hamilton 97-90—187 Alyssa Robertus, Laurel 93-95—188 Anna Lende, Livingston 94-94—188