Lady Outlaws nab state golf title

The Lady Outlaws dedication, hard work and a total team effort paid off in a big way for the young Sisters squad as they claimed first place at the 4A/3A/2A/1A State Golf Tournament held at the Ridge Course at Eagle Crest on Monday and Tuesday, May 14 and 15.

Emotions were running high when the five players received the news they'd won.

"At the end of the tournament, we were all sitting on each other's laps just waiting for the winner to be announced," said Claire Mutchler. "When they announced us the winners, we were all so happy and excited and we looked around and all our parents were crying. We walked to the front to receive the award just screaming and hugging with big smiles all over our faces."

"I was so excited when we found out we'd won," said sophomore Lindsay Reeve, "and I can't wait for next season when we'll try to reclaim our title again as State Champions,"

Junior Alexis Wainwright said, "When we found out we'd won, it was one of the best feelings ever. We worked hard all season, and now we've made school history! It's a great achievement for us."

Sisters finished with a two-day total of 707, 17 strokes ahead of runner-up St. Mary's (724). Newport finished third (742), and Ontario was fourth (748).

Reeve finished fourth overall with a two-day total of 166, and Wainwright finished fifth overall with 169.

The Outlaws held the lead for the entire tournament. Sisters set a school record on day one with a team total of 349 and scored their second lowest score of the season on day two (358).

"The kids couldn't have picked a better two days to shoot their season-low scores," said Coach Mary Flande. "The two-day total of 707 is tied for the second lowest score at the state 4A/3A/2A/1A golf tournament in its 16-year history."

Alexis Wainwright shot a career best on day one with an 82. Wainwright scored a 37 on the front nine, just one stroke over par.

"Alexis really had her putter going for her on the front. She was so focused. What a great way to get the tournament started for her," said Flande.

Lindsay Reeve also shot an 82 for Sisters, and Shelby Ross shot an 89 for a career best.

"Shelby had a solid front nine with a score of 46 and then came back on the back nine with a score of 43. Shelby's round helped put us in the lead by six strokes," said Flande.

Meghan Crowder carded a 96 and Claire Mutchler a 108.

At the close of day one the Outlaws held the lead by six strokes.

The second day of the tournament the Lady Outlaws came out and played with confidence and poise.

"Sometimes when you are in the lead you have a tendency to push too hard, but these girls just came out and played their game and took care of business," said Flande.

Reeve led the Outlaws with an 84, and Wainwright was just three strokes back with an 87.

Wainwright suffered a little mishap when she hit the St. Mary's coach in the head but went on to par the hole.

"I was approaching the green and had a miss-hit," said Wainwright. "I didn't think the ball would reach her, but it did and it nailed her right in the back of the head."

Meghan Crowder shot a career best 88. Ross carded a 99, and Mutchler scored a 102.

"Meghan had it all going. Her ball striking was strong, and she also had the putter working," said Flande.

Mutcher marked a highlight in her career and recorded her first birdie on the eighth hole (par four). Mutcher drove the ball 245 yards, and her second shot landed two feet from the pin. Claire tapped it in for the birdie.

"It was the best feeling. It was my first birdie ever, and I just broke out into a big smile," said Claire

"Claire played with poise and confidence," said Flande, "and she improved her score by six strokes from the first day."

Coach Flande was full of praise for her team.

"Wow! I'm so proud of the girls," said Flande. "What a great group. I'm so happy for them. This team practiced hard all season and spent countless hours on their own to develop their game. Every player played a very valuable role and really put in the time to earn this state championship. They supported each other all year. If one player was off her game, there was always a teammate there to make up the difference. These girls are good friends as well as teammates, and they believed in each other the entire way. Challenging each other everyday in practice was key to our success this season. Every girl on this team from the top to the bottom contributed to this championship."

Flande added, "This was the seventh state championship for Sisters High School. We shot a 707 in 2007. I think all the stars were aligned for these girls."

The good news is all five Lady Outlaws will be back next year and hope to set another record with back-to-back state titles.