State is goal for golf teams
SANDPOINT - Despite a painfully slow and snowy start to their seasons, district titles and a trip to state remain the realistic goals for both the boys and girls golf teams in 2008.
Leading the defending district champion boys team will be two 6-foot-4 players who've established themselves as the clear cut No. 1 and No. 2 players on the team. Juniors Dan Sommerfield and Colton Story both return with state varsity experience, both have ample length to their games, and both have the skills to improve.
For the Bulldogs to beat Moscow, which boasts the best player in the state in Chris Williams, they'll need a couple more golfers to step up. Head coach Mike Keough has plenty of candidates, but hasn't had a chance to evaluate who might possibly emerge. Chris and Mike Lewis, Eli Brent, Bryan Keough, Chris Rhyne and Terry Taylor will battle for the last few varsity spots, which could determine the team's fortunes against Moscow.
“Which one of us can find a three and a four,” said Keough of the key their season, with only one 4A team heading to state. “I see no reason not to have a shot at winning districts. Now it's just a matter of getting some strokes in.”
The girls team boasts both experience and numbers, with a host of players capable of cracking varsity.
“I've got seven girls showing the promise of shooting under a hundred, which is kind of exciting,” said girls coach Jim Alsager. “The seniors all want to make state, be the team to beat in 4A (North).”
Leading the charge will be senior Bonnie Snow, and junior Michelle Stone. Along with freshman Jessie Webster, Alsager believes he's got three girls capable of shooting in the mid-80s. After that, Anna Ballard, Morgan Braun, Sandy Wahlen, Nicole Nevenhoven and Ella Gentz figure to compete for the final varsity spots.
n Girls sixth, boys tenth at Lewiston Invitational
LEWISTON - The Sandpoint girls golf team finished sixth, and the boys team 10th at the Lewiston Invitational on Monday, only the second time this year the Bulldogs have played outdoors.
Bonnie Snow shot a 93 to finish fourth overall, and Michelle Stone added a 97 to pace the girls team, which also took a JV team down to Lewiston.
Dan Sommerfield and Colton Story both carded 92's to lead the boys team, which is still trying to get a feel with shots they can't practice in a gym.
“There was slight improvement in some areas,” said coach Mike Keough. “It's just going to take us some time to get rid of that rust.”
BOYS
At Lewiston Country Club
Par 72, 6,307 yards
TEAM SCORES - 1, Coeur d'Alene 299. 2, Lewiston 307. 3, East Valley 332. 4, Shadle Park 340. 5, Clarkston 341. 6, Post Falls 356. 7, Moscow 361. 8, Lake City 367. 9, Pullman 368. 10, Sandpoint, 392. 11, Coeur d'Alene JV 407. 12, Lakeland 409. 13, Medical Lake 482. 14, Lewiston JV 492.
Medalist - Chris Williams, Moscow, 70.
SANDPOINT - Dan Sommerfeld 92, Colton Story 92, Chris Lewis 101, Mike Lewis 107, Eli Brent 113.
GIRLS
At Bryden Canyon
Par 72, 5,380 yards
TEAM SCORES - 1, Lewiston 389. 2, Coeur d'Alene 390. 3, Lewiston JV 396. 4, Post Falls 397. 5, Pullman 414. 6, Sandpoint 418. 7, Cheney 420. 8, East Valley 421. 9. Clarkston 450. 10, Lake City 469. 11, Sandpoint JV 487. 12, Medical Lake 510.
Medalist - Alyssa Nilsson, Lewiston, 81.
SANDPOINT - Bonnie Snow 93, Michelle Stone 97, Anna Ballard 126, Jessie Webster 102, Morgan Braun 127.
SANDPOINT JV - Sandy Whalen 107, Nicole Nevenhoven 129, Ella Gentz 122, Margaret Nieman 152, Charissa Chatburn 139.