Boys golf places seventh at state

The boys golf team placed seventh at the 4A State Golf Tournament held at the Quail Valley Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday, May 18 and 19.

Sisters shot a 338 on day one and came back to better their score by 21 strokes and shot a 317 for a two-day total of 655. The comeback moved them from 10th place to a seventh-place finish.

Brookings-Harbor took first at 626, and LaSalle was runner up at 631. Other scores were: Marist (632), Phoenix (635), Henley (639), Newport (653) and Sisters at 655.

Foreign exchange student Elio Keller led the Outlaws with an 80-76 for a two-day total of 156 and a tie for 12th place overall.

Aaron Simundson shot 10 strokes better on day two for a career best four-over-par 76 and a two-day total of 162. Simundson chipped it in for birdies on holes No. 2 and 11.

"That first birdie helped me get my confidence up and get a consistent streak of pars going," said Simundson.

Coach Jeff Barton said, "Aaron played great and improved his personal best by two strokes on a very difficult course."

"It felt good to peak my game at the end of the season and end on strong note," said Simundson.

Jonathan Standen carded an 86-78 (164), Jeff Fought 86-87 (173) and Cody Farr-Baenziger rounded out the scoring with an 87-88 (175).

Of the first round, Barton said, "We just didn't play very well. We made some poor decisions, and our course management wasn't very good. I think we were a little bit nervous."

The Outlaws turned it around and made marked improvement in the second round.

"It was the best tournament score we had all year, and it couldn't have come at a better time," stated Barton. "We played with confidence, and everybody played with the idea we had everything to gain and nothing to lose. There were no nerves whatsoever. It ended the season on a high note."

Barton said, "Our future looks bright. We've got everyone coming back next year except for Elio (Keller)."

Simundson added, "If we work hard in the off season, we should be able to contend and bring back a trophy from state next year."