Propelled by an even performance across two days, junior Marleigh Grant finished 11th place at the girls golf state tournament this week.
Grant shot an 85 on both days of competition, for a final score of 170, helping her land 13th place on day one and climb up two spots on day two to finish 11th.
The Cardinals competed in Hesston against 11 other teams. The team finished 8th on the first day, just short of the top 6 that advanced to day two.
But Grant and sophomore Brooklynn Akers both advanced to the second day as individuals. Akers finished in 26th with a score of 191. Over 90 golfers competed at 4A state.
The first day was made more challenging with weather delays, which made it hard for the golfers to stay on track and keep consistent as the course changed with the weather.
Akers said she wasn’t able to find her best game, but was happy to still make her way to the second day.
“I just try to enjoy myself and just tell myself I’m happy to make it to state,” Akers said. “Some people don’t have this opportunity like I do, and just to make the most of it.”
She said she was excited to have a few more years on the team, and wants to continue developing the mental side of her game.
“I was sad when I realized our whole team didn’t make it, but I was happy for me and Marleigh, because I know we would do well the second day and just cheer each other on and give each other positivity,” Akers said.
Grant said the first day she had some nerves, but she mellowed out as she found her footing and focused on taking things one swing at a time.
After making it to day two, she golfed alongside some skilled golfers, who helped encourage her to keep playing her best.
“I was thinking about just playing my own game and not going out and trying to swing as hard as the other girls or hit it further than them, but just playing my own game and trying not to be in my head,” Grant said.
She used the lessons she learned on her first day to help guide her shots as she played the course again. Head coach Susan DeVoe joined her for much of the day and helped Grant keep focused.
Both Akers and Grant will return to the team, and said they hope to improve as players and help the team make the second day next year.
DeVoe said both matured as players throughout the tournament.
With some on the team having success, and some struggling, DeVoe said it was helpful to remind all the players to just enjoy the experience at state.
“They pulled through and were able to just enjoy the time,” DeVoe said.
Overall, the team learned a good lesson about staying focused throughout a long day..
“When you’re in a tournament, you have to stay in the moment of each shot,” DeVoe said.
The season and state tournament were successful, but it also highlighted for DeVoe the potential the young team will have moving forward.
“I wish somebody would have taught me golf at 16,” she said. “The quicker we get them there and able to focus on this shot, this minute, and everything else is in the rearview mirror, that’s where I see they’re getting better and better at it.”
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
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