The Class 3-2-1 A girls golf regional at Russell was just about as close as a tournament can get. Russell and Cheney tied atop to team standings. Adding to the drama golfers from each school also tied for the individual title.
The Lady Cardinals and Lady Broncos, actually tied for the team total with a 418, which is usually determined by the top four scores of the day. So the regional title came down to a tie breaker, which is the fifth golfer and Russell's Megan Hendrich shot a 128, to Cheney's Elyssa Kohler who shot a 131.
"I'm very proud of them, they played great," and Nick Coady. "It went to our fith man score and our number six golfer came though for us today."
Hoisington shot a 446, making the Lady Cardinals the third team from the region to qualify for state.
In the battle for the Individual crown, Russell's Alex Ptacek and Cheney's Shianne Cokely both shot 98 through 18 holes, forcing a sudden death playoff. Ptacek drove her tee shot right through the center of the fairway, while Cokely's tee shot hit a tree and bounced to the foot of another one.
At that point, Cokely thought the tournament was over. "Yeah I did," said Cokely. "She had a nice straight drive and I thought she was going to be on."
But Ptacek's next two shots went into the water hazard, opening the door for Cokely.
"I knew at that point I might have the upper hand," said Cokley. "But she's a good player and she had a chance at coming back."
The Lady Cards number one golfer fought through some nerves, but finally two putted her way to the title.
"I just got the chills, I was about to cry. I was sho happy," she said.
The top 5 golfers not on the three qualifying teams also punched tickets to the state tournament in Cheney. They are Thomas More Prep teammates Monica Michaud (115), Emily Leiker (125) and Annaka Applequest (128), along with a pair of teammates from Pretty Prairie in Nikkie Lampkins (117) and Selena Wapelhorst (117).
