By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Logan-Rogersville Wildcats carded a tournament-low 397 to claim this year’s Class 2 District 3 Tournament Championship, held at the Randel-Hinkle Municipal Golf Course in Mountain Grove on Thursday, Oct. 6.
Senior March Mantala, who fired a 42 on the front nine and a 43 on the back for an 85, paced the Wildcats to the victory. She was joined by teammates Lila Foster, who logged a 101, Karissa Bariteau who came in at 103 and Emma Spurlin with a 108.
Mt. Vernon, with a 405, placed second at the tournament. Kenadi Killingsworth led the Mountaineer effort with a 92. Other ‘Neers contributing were Madalyn Cook (95), Madison Phillips (101) and Madilynn Schubert (117).
As Class 2 District 3 tournament champions and runner-up, both Logan-Rogersville and Mt. Vernon, plus the next top twelve players, qualified to compete in this year’s state tournament.
Logan-Rogersville has competed well on the prep golf scene this year, but until Thursday’s district tournament, they had no wins.
“Our kids’ goal all year has been to walk off the course with a plaque. That hadn’t happened until today,” said Wildcat coach Hannah Collins. “Of all days to win one, our district tournament, they couldn’t have picked a better day.”
Mantela, who has made the trip to state for the past three years, will be doing it once again. However this time, not alone.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
“Last year we were only able to take March to state,” said Collins. “But this time we get to take the whole team, that’s special. They’re all great friends so it’s going to be a lot of fun for all of them.”
Top medalist honors went out to Nevada’s Emree Cameron. Cameron, last year’s top medalist also, recorded par rounds of 34 on the front side and 36 on the back to finish at an even par 70.
“I said to myself, okay, let’s do it again. Let’s make it two in a row,” she said. “And I did it, I won again, and it feels great.”
However Cameron added that she did have a few missed opportunities during her round.
“I do think I could have played a lot better had I taken advantage of all the opportunities I had, especially birdies,” said Cameron. “But overall I’m pretty happy with my even par round of 70.”
Nevada golf coach Brian Leonard had nothing but praise for his program’s top medalist.
“She drives the ball well and most always keeps it in the fairway. When her wedge game is on she can drop it real close to the pin and if her putter is working she can’t be touched,” said Leonard. “She’s just a very solid and a very consistent player. It was great to see her win. She works hard and was very deserving of top medalist honors.”
Close behind Cameron were Marlene Edgeman of Mashfield with a 72 and New Covenant Academy’s Savannah Thessing with a 75.
“I wasn’t sinking my putts the way I usually do, I was having a tough time reading the greens, and my chipping was off,” said Edgeman. “With state coming up, these are a few things I’ll be working on for the next few days.”
“Honestly, I just wanted to play aggressively and have fun, it’s something my coach and I talked about,” said Thessing. “I had a great start and a few rough holes in the middle, but I finished strong. So I’m pretty pleased.”
Team:
1. Logan-Rogersville – 397
2. Mt. Vernon – 405
3. New Covenant – 427
4. Cassville – 432
5. Lamar – 461
6. Mountain Grove – 463
7. Ava – 513
8. Seneca 545
State Qualifiers:
Top two Teams : Four per team
Logan-Rogersville
1. March Mantala 42-43-85
2. Emma Spurlin 52-56-108
3. Lily Foster 47-54-101
4. Karissa Bariteau 43-60-103
Mt. Vernon:
1. Kenadi Killingsworth 46-46-92
2. Madalyn Cook 42-53-95
3. Madison Phillips 53-48-101
4. Madilynn Schubert 55-62-117
Plus: Top 12- with ties 13
1. March Mantala 42-43-85 – Logan-Rogersville
2. Marlene Edgeman 36-36-72 – Marshfield
3. Savannah Thessing 34-41-75 – NCA
4. Avery Chappell 40-44-84 – Cassville
5. Victoria O’Neal 42-45-87 – Lamar
6. Claire Nation 46-49-95 – Monett
7. Riley Severance 47-52-99 – Nevada
8. Marlee Andrews 54-47-101 – Buffalo
9. Paige Hertzberg 52-50-102 – Nevada
10. Juliana Jones 49-53-102 – NCA
11. Katie Geiss 50-56-106 – Monett
12. Maci Barton 55-53-108 – Cassville
13. Lauren Mallow 45-63-108 – Mt. Grove
All-District
1. Emree Cameron 34-36-70 – Nevada
2. Marlene Edgeman 36-36-72- Marshfield
3. Savannah Thessing 34-41-75- New Covenant
4. Avery Chappell 40-44-84 – Cassville
5. March Mantala 42-43-85 – Logan-Rogersville
6. Victoria O’Neal 42-45-87 – Lamar
7. Kenadi Killingsworth – 46-46-92 – Mt. Vernon
8. Claire Nation 46-49-95 – Monett
9. Madalyn Cook 42-53-95 – Mt. Vernon
10. Riley Severance 47-52-99 Nevada
11. MarleeAndrews 54-47-101 Buffalo
12. Lily Foster 47-54-101 – Logan-Rogersville
13. Madison Phillips 53-48-101 – Mt. Vernon
