By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Ozark Lady Tigers are back in the winner’s circle after firing a 346 as a team to win the Pearson Inviational Golf Tournament. The Tigers, who were led by Hannah Aherin’s 77.
The tournament win couldn’t have come at a better time for the Lady Tigers who have cooled off somewhat since capturing the Springfield Catholic Invitational earlier this fall.
“We did get off to a great start this season with a victory at the Springfield Catholic Invitational. But since then we’ve been struggling,” said Tiger head coach Daniel Mullis. “So today’s victory is really a great team win for our kids. I think this has to help our confidence and should help us to get ready to compete at our upcoming conference and district tournaments.”
Aherin’s 77 got the Lady Tigers off and running, it was a round filled with some big shots. None were bigger for Aherin than on the second hole where she carded an eagle on the par 4- 378 yard hole.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
“I was 128 yards out and from that distance I usually hit a solid nine iron,” Aherin said. “But I knew the greens were fast today, so I hit it short and let it roll- and it rolled right into the cup.”
“Hannah did have a good round of golf today,” Mullis said. “Besides her eagle she chipped in a couple of times to card her 77. Her effort today should give her a lot of encouragement for what she’s capable of accomplishing for the remainder of the season.”
Finishing second were the Glendale Falcons, who fired a 353. Third place went to the Republic Lady Tigers who registered a 364.
Wriley Hiebert led the Lady Falcons’ effort with a 74. Hiebert’s 74 earned her Pearson’s top medalist honors.
“My round went really well today, especially my short game,” Hiebert said. “After sixteen holes I was about even, but then I tripled bogeyed. But it didn’t hurt me too bad.”
With regular season play dwindling down each tournament now becomes more important. Aherin says her Lady Tigers are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
“For us this was a great tournament and I’m really excited about the rest of the season,” she said. “I have great teammates, we have a great team and we’re ready to play.”
Following are Pearson Invitational tournament results starting with the top three team’s individual performances. Only the top four scores are counted for team totals.
Top 3 Teams
Ozark Tigers: 1. Hannah Aherin- 75, 2. Maddie Jenkins- 87, 3. Elizabeth Freeman-88, 4. Georgia Fraser- 94, 5. Keegan Strahl- 102.
Glendale Falcons: 1. Wriley Hiebert- 74, 2. Meg Roseman- 91, 3. Halle Jungmann- 93, 4. Olivia Baron- 95 and Brooke Ramsey- 99.
Republic Tigers: 1. Rylea Smith- 86, 2. Ashley White- 88, 3. Clara Fronabarger- 96, and 4. Grace Lightfoot- 101.
Top 10 Teams
1. Ozark 346
2. Glendale 353
3. Republic 364
4. Willard 369
5. West Plains 380
Joplin 380
7. Kickapoo 385
8. Glendale JV 395
9. Catholic 430
10. Nixa 439
11. Kickapoo JV 447
12. Hillcrest 451
Top 10 Medalists
1. Wriley Hiebert 74 Glendale
2. Anna Iorio 75 Joplin
3. Hannah Aherin 77 Ozark
4. Caroline Beykirch 81 West Plains
5. Kayla Pfitzner 82 Catholic
Marissa Butler 82 West Plains
Cathy Gilliland 82 Joplin
8. Kourtney Tucker 83 Central
9. Rylea Smith 85 Republic
10. Kamryn Amstutz 86 Willard
