GREELEY | Class 4A girls golf can now breathe a sigh of relief, Regis Jesuit has moved on.
For the second time in three seasons, the Raiders rolled to the 4A state championship, winning by a whopping 13 strokes May 22 at Boomerang Links in Greeley.
Senior Kathleen Kershisnik, juniors Sofia Vigil and Lauren Richardson and freshman Sydney Gillespie finished with a team score of plus-16 454, winning decisively over last season’s champion, Pueblo South, which Regis Jesuit was gunning for going into the tournament. The Colts finished a distant second.
“It couldn’t have gone much better as a team; we had a great time and a great tournament,” Raiders coach George Miller said. “It was probably the most fun high school tournament I’ve seen.”
Kershisnik nearly put the cherry on the top with an individual state title, but she couldn’t hold a two-shot lead on playing partner Bryce Schroeder of Pueblo South going into the final hole.
The Wyoming-bound Kershisnik made a clutch bogey on the par-5 18th hole — after watching Schroeder sink an epic birdie putt from 65 feet — making a playoff necessary to decide the championship as both were deadlocked at 3-under-par 143 after two days.
Miller said the large gallery went “ballistic” after both players sank their clutch putts. They each parred the first playoff hole and returned again to No. 18, which Schroeder birdied for the win.
“KK (Kershisnik) didn’t mind as much because we won as a team,” Miller said.
Freshman Gillespie — who coach George Miller has called his “secret weapon” — made a smashing debut at the state tournament, following up an opening-round 75 with a 77 to tie for fifth overall.
Vigil, a member of both Regis Jesuit’s state championship teams along with Kershisnik, and Richardson both tied for 20th at plus-20. Vigil’s first round included an eagle, her second in a week’s time.
With Kershisnik graduating, the Raiders will have a big task in front of them next season as they join 5A. The 2013 5A state tournament is at Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction.
“It will be challenging, but I think we’re ready for it,” said Miller, who should have three of his state-winning team back plus at least one talented incoming freshman.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
2012 CLASS 4A GIRLS STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT
May 21-22, Boomerang Links, Greeley
Team scores: 1. REGIS JESUIT 225-229 — 454; 2. Pueblo South 241-226 — 467; 3. Valor Christian 239-246 — 485; 4. Broomfield 252-243 — 495; 5. Montrose 257-258 — 515; 6. Cheyenne Mountain 257-261 — 518; 7. Rifle 258-269 — 527; 8. Falcon 262-286 — 548; 9. Green Mountain 286-282 — 568; 10. Pueblo West 289-294 — 583
Top 10 individuals (par 73): 1. Bryce Schroeder (Pueblo South) 72-71 — 143 (won in playoff); 2. KATHLEEN KERSHISNIK (REGIS JESUIT) 70-73 — 143; 3. Jennifer Kupcho (Jefferson Academy) 73-71 — 144; 4. Taylor Dorans (Broomfield) 72-74 — 146; T5. SYDNEY GILLESPIE (REGIS JESUIT) 75-77 — 142; T5. Kala Keltz (Montrose) 74-78 — 152; 7. Taylor Walters (Rifle) 77-76 — 153; 8. Jesse O’Dell (Estes Park) 78-76 — 154; T9. Tori Glenn (Valor Christian) 75-81 — 156; T9. Alex Trask (Bishop Machebeuf) 77-79 — 156
Regis Jesuit results: 2. Kathleen Kershisnik 70-73 — 143; T5. Sydney Gillespie 75-77 — 142; T20. Sofia Vigil 80-86 — 166; T20. Lauren Richardson 87-79 — 166.\
