Lovell claims fifth at state golf tourney

REXBURG — Joey Lovell came out with the right mindset Tuesday in the final round of the 4A state golf championships at Teton Lakes Golf Course, making some birdies to try and get into contention for medalist. Lovell shot a three-over par 74, but followed each birdy with a bogey in his up and down round, finishing 5th overall.

"He played good enough to stay in it," said boys coach Mike Keough. "He just couldn't seem to get that run going."

The boys team finished one stroke better than yesterday, with Wyatt Pearson leading the way by dropping 12 strokes of his previous day's score, but still finished in last place. Overall, Keough was happy with the way his young team responded, considering they spent the first month of their season chipping golf balls in the wrestling room while their southern brethren can play year around.

"I'm glad the kids could be competitive both days, they did respectable," Keough said. "We went down there knowing we weren't one of the strongest teams down there."

Ashley Burke had a sensational second round, posting her best score of the season with an 87. She dropped a whopping 20 strokes off her previous day's round, and passed by 13 of her competitors to finish 18th overall and finish her season in style.

"She hit a lot of greens in regulation, kept it in the middle and putted well," said girls' coach Jim Alsager. "She's pretty excited about it."

Ashleigh Mire came out aggressive, knowing she had to make a move to get to the top of the leaderboard, but just couldn't drop any putts. Alsager said she was bombing 275 yard drives, but might have pushed too hard and struggled a little with execution.

"She was trying to make a move on the girls in front," said Alsager of Mire's final round 101. "Sometimes the harder you chase something, the less you get done."

INDIVIDUAL — Lovell 5th, Burke 18th, Mire 20th.

SANDPOINT BOYS — Joey Lovell 75/74 — 149, Colton Story 83/90 — 173, Colin Slaughter 89/87 — 176, Nick Hawkins 92/92, Wyatt Pearson 99/87 — 186.

SANDPOINT GIRLS — Ashley Burke 107/87 — 194, Ashleigh Mire 96/101 — 197.