In John Oh and Richard Woo the King’s boys golf team possesses a potent one-two punch that frequently floors the opposition.
The seniors with the silky smooth swings and the surnames that double as cheers make the Knights a viable contender for a Class 1A state title.
Oh and Woo flip-flop at the top of a deep King’s ladder featuring five returners from last year’s squad that earned a Chinook League championship and took second at Tri-districts.
Both consistently shoot close to par and have a legitimate chance at winning an individual state title this May.
“The harder the course, the better they play,” King’s boys coach Myrle Carner said.
Woo began his high school career by claiming an individual 1A championship his freshman year to clinch the Knights a second straight team title. As a sophomore, he placed seventh at state.
Oh sat out his sophomore season after transferring to King’s from Jackson High School. He finished eighth at state last season, three strokes and two places better than Woo.
Together, the twosome paced the Knights to third in the team standings behind Life Christian and Royal.
“John’s been a little more consistent in his scoring, but they really fluctuate,” Carner said. “It’s been fun watching them play against each other.”
King’s also returns seniors Kevin Sawtell, Jason Jones and Michael Miller. All three cracked the top 40 at last year’s 15-team Tri-district tournament but missed the state cut.
Carner is hopeful the Knights will have at least three representatives at this year’s state championships.
“We’ve got a good shot if they stay focused,” he said. “They’ve got all the talent in the world.”
The King’s girls swept the Chinook League and Tri-district team titles in 2003 but didn’t send a single golfer to state.
Half of the varsity roster graduated, but first-year coach Josh Vick expects a trio of Knights will vie for state berths.
Junior Courtney McCampbell and sophomores Katie Lyon and Kristen Sawtell are jockeying for the No. 1 position on this year’s lineup.
“It kind of depends on the day,” Vick said. “One of the three usually shoots real well and the other two are right behind. It’s been someone different at each of our first three matches.”
Freshman Sarah Strand, sophomore Tanya Cowman and junior Ashley Strecker occupy the next three slots, followed by sophomore Veronica Cook and junior Sari Jack.
“Our goal is to send at least two girls to state,” Vick said. “I don’t see any reason why that won’t happen.”
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