Lady Outlaws are golf state champs

The Lady Outlaws put together two great days of golf to clinch the girls' 4A/3A/2A/1A State Championship for the second consecutive year. The tournament was held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday, May 12-13.

Sisters had momentum heading into the tournament. The team posted a season-best performance at district and used that as a springboard to the state tournament.

Sisters' Lindsay Reeve finished as the tournament co-medalist along with Kate Bigelow of Newport.

"Lindsay was just stellar both days," said Coach Mary Flande. "She was so consistent and had control of the golf course. Lindsay's leadership and work ethic at practice all season has just been terrific. I couldn't be more proud of her. I'm so happy she had a great tournament. She deserves it very much."

Reeve said, "We had a lot of pressure going into the tournament because we'd won last year. I think we did a good job of holding our own both days and we didn't let anyone get too close. When it was announced we'd won, it took a bit to sink in and then the excitement took over, the pressure was off and it was a feeling of total relief."

The Outlaws wrapped up the first day of play with a team score of 340 for a new school record. Lindsay Reeve led the Outlaws with a 76 to post a new school record for 18 holes.

Ocean Yap-Powell carded a career round 84.

"She played bogey golf on the front but caught fire on the back," said Flande. "You couldn't have asked for a better time to shoot a personal best."

Alexis Wainwright, in her fourth state tournament appearance, shot an 88 and Shelby Ross scored a 92.

Sisters entered round two on Tuesday with an 18-stroke lead over Gladstone. St. Mary's came on strong and cut 26 strokes off their first day's score (361) and finished with the best team score of the day (335). Sisters shot a 338 to break the school record they'd set the previous day. The Outlaws' consistent play on both days kept them in the lead and earned them the first place finish.

Reeve and Yap-Powell put the icing on the cake when they ended their rounds with a birdie on the 18th hole.

Reeve and Yap-Powell both commented on their birdies.

Reeve said, "I hit a long drive and my next shot landed one foot past the hole and rolled. I missed the putt for eagle but tapped it in for birdie."

Yap-Powell said, "I'd just come off getting a bogie on the 17th hole and my first shot on the 18th was a bad drive that put me in a sand trap behind a tree. I was able to punch it up and over the tree back onto the fairway. From 150 yards out I hit it long on the green and made the next shot for birdie."

Reeve finished with another terrific round of 77. Wainwright improved by two strokes for an 86 and Shelby Ross carded a career round 86.

"Alexis put together another solid tournament for the Outlaws," said Flande. "She played two very consistent rounds and her great dedication and enthusiasm makes her a very valuable member of this team. Shelby wasn't happy with her first day's score (92) and came back with an 86 on the second day for a personal best," said Flande. "Shelby is a competitor. She has the ability to work through a tough round and get better the next day."

Yap-Powell rounded out the scoring with an 89. In non-scoring positions Meghan Crowder shot a 101 and on day one Claire Mutchler shot a 103.

"Claire and Meghan each played one day. Both of these girls are seniors and I couldn't be happier for them and the effort they put forth at the tournament," said Flande.

Flande added, "Emily Rawls was also a member of this state championship team. She didn't have the opportunity to play in the tournament but she was a very valuable member of the team. Her encouragement and support for the team was great."

The Outlaws finished with a two-day total of 678. St. Mary's was runner-up with 696, Molalla third (733) and Gladstone fourth at 744.

Senior Alexis Wainwright said, "I was so happy we were able to win back-to-back state championships. Our team played really well and held it together to the end."

Senior transfer Yap-Powell said, "It was really surreal at first and then it hit me that we'd got first place. I wasn't a part of the team last year when they won so this year was especially cool for me."

Flande summed up the season:

"It was a season of hard work and dedication by all the kids. All seven players pushed each other the entire season. I think the intense competition during the season really prepared these kids for the state tournament. They played against each other all season for a varsity position and when it came time for the big dance, they played well under pressure."