Lady Spartan golfers battle for state title in Aspen
By Will Cornelius
The Surveyor
Berthoud High School (BHS) held its annual senior graduation on May 27 to honor the Class of 2023, but a couple of seniors still had some unfinished business as Lady Spartans. Seniors Anya Knoll and Ashley Russell have anchored the varsity girls golf team for their entire high school careers and booked their third consecutive trip to the 2023 3A CHSAA girls golf state tournament after a strong performance at regionals in Craig.
After Knoll and Russell tossed their graduation caps in the air, they raced off to Aspen for the weekend to prepare for the two-day golf tournament. The tournament was hosted at Aspen Golf Club on May 30 and 31. The BHS team arrived a few days early to acclimatize and get a few practice rounds in.
Weather at tee off on Tuesday morning was ideal with temperatures in the mid-70s, plenty of sun and no wind. Joining Knoll and Russell at the state golf tournament were junior Brooklyn Tychsen and sophomore Mason Premer.
The day started strong for the Lady Spartans, as they sparred with Peak to Peak Charter School throughout the morning for the lowest score. BHS had a brilliant front nine, that saw them hold the top score past lunchtime. “Halfway through the round when we’re looking at being the front runner in state — it’s pretty fun. It’s a glimpse of what’s a possibility for our team and for the program in the future,” said David Hunn, the head coach of the golf program at BHS.
But a treacherous back nine saw the Lady Spartans fall back on the leaderboard. “Golf is a very mental game and very mentally taxing. So, keeping it together for 18 holes and between 80 and 100 shots for these girls — it can be emotionally and mentally taxing for them, and it’s a lot of fun to see them continue to battle,” Hunn said about the mental fortitude of his team.
Even though it is Knoll’s third appearance at the state tournament, she said it can still be nerve-wracking to play against the best competition on the biggest stage. After a tough start, Knoll remembered she has extra motivation to perform. “It started off a little bit rough, I don’t think I was in it very mentally. But then I decided I was going to play for Olivia,” Knoll explained.
Olivia Gravestock started the season shooting in the high-70s and low-80s for the Lady Spartans before an illness ended her season early. Her absence has rallied the Lady Spartans, who want to make Gravestock proud with a state title.
At the end of the first round on Tuesday, the Lady Spartans sat in fifth place with a score of 274. Tychsen led the team, carding 87 including a birdie on the final hole. Right behind her was Knoll with 88, while Russell shot 99 and Premer rounded out the team with a 104 score.
Hunn said he knows mistakes and concentration lapses happen, but he wanted the girls to think about what they did well and how they can improve for the final round. “It’s their attitude after that mistake, that makes them who they are,” he stated.
Heading into the final round, only 11 strokes separate the Lady Spartans from the two schools tied for first place, Aspen High School and St. Mary’s Academy. Along with Peak to Peak Charter School, Prospect Ridge High School and the Colorado Academy are also jostling for the top spot.
“I’m excited. I think we can keep climbing up,” Knoll said about the final day of the tournament.
Editor’s note: The Surveyor went to press Wednesday morning while the second day of the state tournament was just teeing off. To catch up with how the Lady Spartans did in Aspen check out www.berthoudsurveyor.com or Facebook for a recap of the tournament and final results.
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