EL DORADO -- Senior Nathan Ahlers and sophomore Abby Lea Huett medaled for Lakeside's first-place team in the boys' competition and second-place team in the girls' competition, respectively of the 5A-South conference golf tournament Tuesday at the El Dorado Country Club.
The Rams won the boys' tournament to earn an automatic bid to the Class 5A state tournament on Oct. 2 at the Paragould Country Club. The girls' team also earned an automatic bid to the state tournament, which will be hosted Wednesday by Lakeside at the Hot Springs Country Club.
Ahlers medaled with a score of 70. Freshman Cooper Gordon placed second in the tournament with a round of 71. Junior Carson Garner and sophomore Wil Griffin tied for fifth place at 77.
They took first place by 12 strokes with a team score of 295. Benton placed second at 307 with El Dorado third at 332.
"I had two kids really step up and I had two kids hanging in for dear life trying to keep it in the 70s," said Lakeside coach Gary Don Smith. "They were fighting it a little bit. They did a good job of keeping it there. Nathan and Cooper did a great job getting 1-under and even. Cooper is a ninth-grader, so that is pretty good handling the pressure."
Lake Hamilton senior Caleb Dodd qualified to compete at state as an individual with a round of 84. Senior Jordan Johnson finished his season with a round of 92 and freshman Cade Robinson shot a 94.
The top three teams automatically qualified for state. Lake Hamilton placed fourth at 375.
"I am glad that Caleb is qualified for the state tournament again, but would've certainly liked to get a couple of more boys in, especially Jordan," said Lake Hamilton coach Brandi Higginbotham. "Cade Robinson had been playing well as of late also."
Huett bested Sheridan's Emma Hester by two strokes, but the Lady Yellowjackets took first place in the team standings by four strokes. Huett shot a 77 and Hester shot a 79.
Lakeside sophomore Carly Orr placed third overall at 93. The Lady Rams finished with a team score of 274.
Sheridan took the conference championship with a team score of 270. El Dorado placed third at 284.
"We were a little disappointed that we placed second with the girls," Smith said. "We had a chance. We were beaten by four strokes. We are still proud of where we are. Both teams are going to state and we made a statement with conference medalists on both teams.
"I am really proud of the kids overall. Sometimes, you get greedy when you have been up there a lot. I have to slow down and remember they have given me all they have."
Three players from Lake Hamilton and three from Benton qualified to compete next in the 5A state tournament.
Freshman Ginny Higginbotham led Lake Hamilton with a round of 101. Sophomore Kenley Spruill and freshman Annabelle Coppedge also booked their place in the 5A competition.
"Some of the girls were a little surprised to be qualified," Higginbotham said. "Ginny shot by far her best round of the year. She dropped her score to 101 this time. Annabelle and Kenley have both been hitting the ball well lately and will both get to play as individuals also.
"Our conference should be very well represented at the state tournament."
Participants in the 5A girls' tournament are scheduled for a practice round on Tuesday before teeing off at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
"Greenwood has a good team coming in," Smith said. "We have to shoot three low 80s or we have to get a 70-something again. Hopefully, Abby can get in the 70s on her home course, but it is a tough course. You still have to play really good golf to have a chance.
"Even though the park does not look tough, you start getting in that rough and it is hard to get it out. You see the scores. Everybody's scores go up some."
Sports on 09/20/2018