State golf roundup: Pair of Panthers contending after Day 1

RICHLAND — Snohomish’s Ben Gardner and Ethan Casto are tied for 10th after firing first-round 75s at the 4A state golf tournament at Meadow Springs Country Club, but both have plenty of work to do if they plan on working their way up the leaderboard.

Eastlake’s Tommy McCoy leads the field after a two-under-par 70 in his first round.

“Both Ethan and Ben obviously scored well, but although they finished with the same score, they had completely different rounds,” Snohomish coach Joey Mutcheson said. “Ben was more consistent with his ball-striking, and Ethan’s putter worked well for him today. They just have to go out there tomorrow, be patient and try to do what they’ve practiced.”

Although Casto and Gardner, both seniors, are just five shots off the leader, there are nine players between them and the top spot, so a lot will have to go the Panthers’ way on Wednesday.

Casto has been in this pressure-cooker before, finishing the final day of last year’s tournament tied for the lead, only to lose in a three-hole playoff.

Gardner, who didn’t make the cut as a junior last season, is benefiting from his teammate’s experience.

“Ethan’s such a good teammate, and is sharing a lot of information with Ben to make him more comfortable,” Mutcheson said. “The more times you put yourself in a situation like that you become a little more comfortable.”

Snohomish will also face an uphill battle in search of its first team title since 2009.

Eastlake and Kentwood both have two players in the top 10, higher than Casto and Gardner.

“It’s a unique point system,” Mutcheson said. “In my experience, it’s just best to wait it out and see how it ends up.”

4A Girls

PASCO — Local players found tough sledding at Sun Willows on Tuesday, as Kamiak’s Jane Kim and Renee Kwak will be the only area golfers represented in Wednesday’s final round.

Kim placed 22nd with a first-round 79, and Kwak’s 83 was good enough for 39th place.

Jalayne Martinez of Pasco leads the field with a first-round 69.

3A Boys

SPOKANE — Stanwood’s Quinton Borseth carded a three-over par 75 on Tuesday to tie for 15th at The Creek at Qualchan.

Borseth trails leader Sam Warkentin of Bainbridge by six strokes heading into Wednesday’s final round of play.

Arlington’s Austin Faux (77) and Conner Stephens (78) also made the cut, as did Everett freshman Andrew Martin, who shot an 80 in his first round of state tournament play.

3A Girls

SPOKANE — Meadowdale’s Morgan Rood was the only local player to make the cut on Tuesday at Indian Canyon.

Rood’s round of 91 tied her for 30th, well behind co-leaders Abby Euyang of Lakeside and Therese Warner of Southridge, each of whom shot 76.

2A Boys

RICHLAND — Archbishop Murphy placed three players in the top 18 on Tuesday at Horn Rapids, led by Jack McClincy, whose first-round 75 has him just two shots behind first-place Luke Hall of Liberty.

McClincy (fourth place) and Matthew Pabisz (tied for 13th) and Steve Shih (tied for 15th) have the Wildcats positioned for a run at their first team title.

2A Girls

RICHLAND — Casey Spurr of Cedarcrest led a quartet of local players to make the cut after the first day of action at Columbia Point.

Spurr fired a first-round 90 to place 16th, 13 strokes behind Ephrata’s Kenedee Peters, who shot 77 to lead the field.

Shorecrest’s Jac Longstreth is tied for 26th with a 95.

Elizabeth Holmdahl of Shorecrest and Holland Seamons of Cedarcrest are each tied for 40th after shooting 99.

1A Boys

SPOKANE — JackRyan O’Neil of King’s is tied for ninth after the first round at Liberty Lake after carding a 77 on the par-66 course.

O’Neil trails Hoquiam’s John Sand by seven strokes entering Wednesday’s final round.

Sultan’s Tyler Aamold is in 13th place after a round of 78 on Tuesday, and Grayson Giboney of King’s is tied for 21st with an 82.

1A Girls

SPOKANE — Hannah Roh of King’s took a two-stroke lead over South Whidbey’s Kolby Heggenes and Highland’s Lucy Mitchum on Tuesday at Liberty Lake, and will look to cap her prep career with her first state title on Wednesday.

Roh, who finished fourth, fourth and third in her first three state tourney appearances, shot an 80 on the par-66 course.

“She positioned herself pretty well with her drives and approach shots, and placed the ball pretty well today,” King’s coach Simonette Sancho said. “She felt pretty confident after 18 today and is getting familiar with the course.”

King’s will also have Emily Burdett competing on Wednesday, and Sancho said if she improves her play on the back nine to shave some strokes off her first-round 94, the Knights could be in position for a second consecutive team title.

South Whidbey is in pole position for that crown after Tuesday after finishing second to King’s last year.

Heggenes’ 82 and Tarra Moore’s 83 give the Falcons two players in the top five.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.