Mavs’ boys golf places 7th at state tourney
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO
Mason Bradford puts a ball during a previous Maverick golf tournament. Coach Terry Melbye called Bradford one of his top players alongside Drayson Nighswonger.
FILE PHOTO
Drayson Nighswonger from the district tournament. Nighswonger was the Mavericks top placer in the state tournament, with Mason Bradford right behind him.
Quinten Whittall swinging for the Mavericks in a prior tournament this season. Whittall is the Mavericks lone senior and graduates this June.
MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks boys golf team finished seventh at the state tournament, with all of their players appearing for the team.
“Our golfers played really well. We were first in our league and first in our district, and we ended up in seventh place as a team in the state. I don't know that Moses Lake has done that before,” head coach Terry Melbye said, “So I'm really proud of them, they represented Moses Lake really well.”
Drayson Nighswonger and Mason Bradford were the Mavericks' leading golfers, placing 28th and 31st, respectively. Nighswonger scored 154 over the two-day competition, while Bradford finished with 155.
“Mason's always been our number one player, and he shoots close to par all the time in Moses Lake, sometimes under par. Usually he's right in that par range or better, and Drayson is right behind him,” Melbye said.
Melbye said the course presented a few challenges to his players. Nighswonger had to shoot from the sand, aiming away from the hole in order to have a playable follow-up shot.
As far as expectations go, the Mavericks took care of business, the coach said. On day one, 120 golfers play and then it's cut down to 60 golfers for day two and every Maverick made the 60-man cut.
“As far as what we're hoping for, we wanted a place, and we wanted to get the team in to where we made the cut, so that's quite an accomplishment,” Melbye said.
After a great season, the Mavericks look forward to trying to top themselves next season. They will have every player return to the team next year with the exception of one senior, Quinten Whittall.
“They're quality players right now, as far as I'm concerned, they're excited about next year, which they should be, and they all play a lot of golf, even in the summer, and they do a lot of tournaments,” Melbye said.
Drayson Nighswonger from the district tournament. Nighswonger was the Mavericks top placer in the state tournament, with Mason Bradford right behind him.
Quinten Whittall swinging for the Mavericks in a prior tournament this season. Whittall is the Mavericks lone senior and graduates this June.ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Wildcats baseball fourth in preseason poll
ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats baseball squad was ranked fourth in the Greater Northwest Conference preseason poll Thursday, according to statement by GNAC.
Broncos defeated in final home duel
RITZVILLE — The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos fell to the Colfax Bulldogs 53-24 Wednesday. Despite the loss, Head Coach Jason Hilzer felt his wrestlers still competed hard.
COLUMN: Is Kenneth Walker ready to step up?
This Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks face their toughest test in the playoffs when they host the Los Angeles Rams. One of the major storylines heading into this matchup is running back Zach Charbonnet being ruled out, leaving Kenneth Walker to carry the load. Which raises the question, is he capable? In the modern world of the NFL, a lot of coaches preach the imperativeness of the run game. When effective, it can open up other strategies on offense, like play action. Passing lanes open up as defenses have to show respect to the threat in the backfield.