Photo by Leo Derkowski
The Lady Spartans captured second place at the R2J Invite held at the Olde Course in Loveland. From left, Coach John Perry, Coach Casey Brock, Mason Premer, Brookyln Tychsen, Rosie Hirai and Head Coach David Hunn.

By Leo Derkowski
The Surveyor

Paced by the steady play of Rosie Hirai, the Lady Spartans captured second place in the R2J Girls Invitational, hosted by Berthoud High School at the Olde Course in Loveland on Monday, April 29.

Hirai had the best score of the Spartan’s varsity four, taking fourth place overall in the tournament with a score of 86. Mason Premer was second in team scoring with a 94—good for 12th overall. Malia Sylva carded 95 for third on the team and finished 13th overall. Brooklyn Tychsen finished fourth in team scoring and 16th overall with a 97.

In what can best be described as a tune-up for the Patriot League Championship on Friday, May 2 in Sterling, the Spartans appear to have a firm grasp on the second seed and will face off against the first-seeded Resurrection Christian High School. The two teams have battled all season and appear to be evenly matched.

“I am very pleased with the way the girls played all year,” said Head Coach Dave Hunn. “Aside from their play in tournaments, they practiced diligently and regularly. It shows in the constant improvement in their scoring. I think the varsity team of Brooklyn, Rosie, Malia and Mason that we’ll take to the playoffs is among the best in Class 3A.”

“If you look at the results this year, each player took turns leading the way in team play. Brooklyn had some of the lowest scores of the year. Rosie was always either in second or sometimes in first and Malia had a breakthrough with her personal best score to lead the team in the RCS Tournament. Mason has really come on strong in the last few tournaments, as evidenced by her second-place team finish today. I am confident that this team can take us to State.”

Hirai has quietly put together an outstanding season. In the last eight events she has led the team in scoring twice, was second in scoring four times and came in fourth once. “Practice, that’s the big difference this year,” Hirai said after the R2J event. “I try to practice every day if I can. I usually hit my driver fairly well, so in practice, I concentrate on play around the greens and in putting.

Today I wasn’t that great off the tee, but my play around the green helped my scoring.”

The Berthoud B-team placed eighth in the tournament. Freshman Avery Tychsen led the team placing 17th overall. Kaylee Padilla was second on the team and 30th in the event. Madie Kuntz, a sophomore was third on the team and 34th overall. Freshman Julie Reed was fourth and 46th in the tournament.

“We have some junior varsity players showing great potential,” said Hunn. “There are times when they push the older players. Today was a good example when Avery finished one stroke behind her sister Brooklyn. While we are all focused on 2024 and regionals and state, I have a feeling 2025 could be a very interesting year.”