Few Western Slope girls golf programs can match the pedigree that Montezuma-Cortez has established over the past decade.
The Panthers added another chapter to a lengthening program history of state qualifiers, as M-CHS notched a third-place team showing and individual qualifiers to the upcoming 3A state championships at the Region 4 tournament at Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig.
M-CHS took a tie for third place as a team, posting a team score of 268 Monday to match Vail Christian for third overall, and collect three top-11 finishes to put the program back with a full team at the state championships at Aspen Golf Club on May 30-31.
Junior Chesnie Patrick continued to lead the Panthers effort, securing fifth place individually with a round of 84 on the par-72 course. Opening on the back nine, Patrick posted an opening nine 44, before finding her rhythm on the back half, tallying six pars, including four in a row to shoot 40 on the inward nine.
Just five shots back and three places behind, freshman Amita Crowley jumped into a qualifying spot as well, playing steady golf on both nines. Crowley picked up three pars in her opening nine holes en route to a 45, then added four more to finish with a round of 89.
Classmate Afton Unrein started very well, parring two of her first three holes, and shot a 45 on the front nine on her way to a 95 and an 11th place showing on the Moffat County course.
Senior Anna Lawrence posted a score of 113 to round out the Panthers team performances, as Lawrence played well on the par threes to aid her steady round of 57-56, earning her a tie for 22nd in the field.
Aspen sophomore Lenna Persson took home medalist honors with a 78, leading the Skiers to a one-shot victory over Berthoud for the regional team title. M-CHS tied Vail Mountain for third place in the team standings, and now look forward to the 36-hole 3A state championships coming up on Monday and Tuesday, May 30-31 in Aspen.
