The Taft High girls golf team got a closer look at Quail Valley Golf Course than it probably wanted to Monday in opening-round play in the OSAA Class 4A/3A/2A/1A State Girls Golf Championships.
The Tigers, who finished second in last week’s Special District 2 finals behind senior medalist Maya Hatton, toured the 5,416-yard par-72 layout in Banks in 432 strokes to stand in 10th place in the 12-team field.
Girls scorecard
St. Mary’s shot an opening 323 in the two-day tournament to amass a 43-shot advantage over the combined team of Heppner/Ione.
Another co-op team, Salem Academy/Blanchet Catholic, which defeated the Tigers by eight shots for the District title at Santiam Golf Club, is third at 396.
Two freshmen — Baylee Hammericksen of St. Mary’s and Yvonne Vinceri of Riverdale –share the first-round lead after shooting 2-under 70 under sunny skies and gorgeous course conditions.
Hatton shot a 13-over 85 to stand tied for ninth place just days removed from a 76-75—151 that earned her a third straight District championship.
Junior Violet Palmerini is tied for 48th at 109; junior Olivia Baker is tied for 54th at 115; sophomore Sammy Halferty is 61st at 163; and senior Jocelyn Arguello is tied for 65th at 147.
Leave it to Taft High boys golf coach Andy Morgan to put it best:
“There is virtually no breeze on the course — except the swinging that we have done too much of in our pursuit of our goals,” he said Monday following first-round play in the OSAA Class 3A/2A/1A Boys Golf Championships in Banks.
Taft struggled to a 12th-place standing behind first-place Bandon in the 13-team event at 6,346-yard, par-72 Quail Valley Golf Course entering Tuesday’s final round.
The Tigers, who shot 403 — 95 shots behind first-place Bandon’s 20-over-par 308 — will tee off for final-round play in the 36-hole event at 8:15 a.m. Class 2A Bandon leads 3A Rogue River by four strokes.
“As a first year coach, my idea of a complete, team-best performance was very optimistic,” Morgan said. “The Tigers play to win, and our attitude has not changed — though our team was given a reality check.”
Bandon freshman Scotty Keenan shot 7-under 65 to lead the chase for medalist honors by four shots over Special District 2 champion Kyle Humphreys of Regis.
“There are some really good golfers here this week, and it is exciting to play alongside these fine young men,” Morgan said. “We know we belong here, and we are going to represent our community and school with poise and confidence.”
Taft junior Logan Merry, the team’s leading player all season, stands in 18th place in the two-day tournament following an opening 86. Senior Bonny Patel is tied for 35th at 97; junior William Brooks 47th at 109; senior Dawson Wood tied for 48th at 111; and senior Ean Wood 56th at 124.
“Taft played around its averages, though we know, collectively, that we are capable of so much more,” Morgan said. “The team is happy, yet hungry, and we are not going be satisfied with anything less than our best effort.”
Determined to improve his standing, Merry headed straight to the practice range following his round.
“Logan has his sights on a higher finish,” Morgan said. “He is within striking distance and will make a move tomorrow.”
Patel said he believes his contact was strong, but made some poor decisions regarding game management. He putted well to save some shots.
Brooks said he missed several putts and rushed some shots. He considers the miscues correctable, and said he will work hard tomorrow to slow the game down.
Dawson Wood was disappointed after a decent front nine, but had a rough experience on the back side.
“He will work to maintain a more a positive attitude for a full 18 tomorrow,” Morgan said.
Ean Wood said his driving and putting were solid, but his chipping cost him.
“His inconsistent iron play didn’t disrupt his positive attitude,” Morgan said.
Morgan said post-round advice from assistant coaches Dean Konecny and Kenny Morgan has his squad prepared for a strong finish.
“We have broken the game down, setting some goals for each individual player,” he said. “We definitely need to stay hydrated, and get quality rest.
“The team is in a good mental place. Everyone has remained positive about the experience, and excited to improve. We are talking about having fun — No. 1 goal — and keeping our sights on the possibility of placing higher tomorrow.”
They say golf is an easy game . . . until you care.
Members of the Taft High boys’ golf team might as well be caregivers, then, because the stakes will be high and the pressure immense over the next two days when the small-school OSAA State Golf Championships are contested at Quail Valley Golf Course near Banks.
“What we hope to accomplish at State is a championship,” boys coach Andy Morgan said. “We accept coming in second.”
To prepare for Monday and Tuesday’s 36-hole event, Morgan said the Tigers dedicated practice to fine-tuning their games with hopes of producing the season’s first complete team scorecard.
“First, we worked on some individual components of each of the athletes’ games,” he said. “Coaches [Kenny] Morgan and [Dean] Konecny made some time to be available for individual needs.
“Second, we rested. Everyone has been playing a lot of golf and working to keep up at school. We have shortened our school week by one day [20 percent] each week since February, and two days at Districts. It takes a commitment to keep up, and maintain our expectations academically.
“The boys were noticeably fatigued following the District tournament, so we took our time at practice, and backed off the intensity a bit. What we did focus on was with 100 percent effort, though.
“Third, we continued to have fun as a group. Even Jonathan Freilinger, our lone JV player, attended every last practice, keeping the habits and camaraderie at full strength. This group of boys has formed a good bond, accepting each others’ strengths, weaknesses and habits. They have worked to improve each other all season long.”
Taft was led to State with a second-place finish in the Special District 2 tournament on their home course of Salishan Spa & Golf Resort by West Valley League first-team player Logan Merry, who tied for third.
Merry, a junior, and senior Bonny Patel scored best in the 36-hole event in Gleneden Beach, but the Wood twins, Ean and Dawson, turned in contributing scorecards, as well. Taft’s No. 3 player, junior William Brooks, struggled, but swept the grief aside like one of the many shots on goal he turned away last winter as a first-team all-league and second-team all-state soccer goaltender.
“He is fine with his game, and the team has had fun at his expense,” Morgan said. “It has all been part of the bond with this group. . . . He knows about stress in competition. He will bounce back at State.”
While the Tigers have been defeated by Blanchet Catholic in every confrontation this season, including last week’s District finals, they have been as close as just a few strokes — to as far behind by as many as nearly 100. Unfortunately for Taft, the Crusaders aren’t the favorites at State.
“That makes us an underdog,” he said. “We are good with that. We have the capability to strike. Logan and Bonny will take the lead, and the supporting three players must make up the distance.”
Brooks and Freilinger will be Taft’s only returning players next season as Merry is transferring to the Corvallis area with his family, who is moving due to his father’s work relocation.
“Logan has been a solid player, consistent and composed,” Morgan said. “He will be missed. We wish him the best and will follow him at his new school, wherever he decides to attend. William will have to become a recruiter and a leader, and is quite capable of leadership.”
The Tigers will need a complete team effort to seize advantage of the moment and challenge for the championship, Morgan said.
“Nobody has peaked yet, and the team has not had three individual, best-rounds in the same tournament,” he said. “We are engaged and hungry. We are ripe for success.”
Whatever the result, it has been a memorable first season as Taft boys’ golf coach for Morgan.
“These kids have been outstanding to work with. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a coach again,” said Morgan, who shared credit with Konecny and his father for getting the team to State. “They have spent a ton of time with these young men, and they have all had a great time.
“The boys have grown athletically, and as young men, and that was our goal as coaches. I hope we have as much fun, and show as much composure as we have all season. This is a first-class group of young men, and hold high the banner and the tradition of Taft championship golf.”
Taft, led by District champion Maya Hatton, will also play Monday and Tuesday at Quail Valley in the Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls Golf Championships.
A pulled hamstring suffered late Friday in his final qualifying run cost Taft High senior sprinter Gabe Arce-Torres a chance at three titles and a trip to State, and the boys a shot at the team crown Saturday in the Class 3A West Valley League District Track and Field Championships in Dayton.
Senior Preston Nightingale and sophomores Kaden Wright, Ella Knott and Autumn Ellis qualified to compete in their respective events in the OSAA State Track and Field Championships Thursday and Friday in Eugene.
While the dominant Arce-Torres had three State qualifying times Friday in the preliminaries of the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, he is not eligible under OSAA rules to compete this week at historic Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.
“Even though his prelim times scored well above the automatic qualifying times, only the finals are accepted, or finishing first or second,” Arce-Torres said. “His times were well lower than anyone there. It’s a flawed system, for they do take throwers’ and jumpers’ prelims, but not runners.”
“Words don’t really describe how disappointed I am about what happened yesterday, but it’s really just how things play out sometimes,” said Gabe Arce-Torres, who will attend Western Oregon University on a track scholarship. “I’m not the first one it’s happened to, and I certainly won’t be the last. Sadly, it was my senior year but I have four more years to do the thing that I love.”
Arce-Torres never lost this season in the 400 and had qualified for Saturday’s finals by more than four seconds. The star sprinter placed second just once this year in the 200, to a Class 5A runner in the prestigious Prefontaine Rotary Invitational in Coos Bay.
“I wish they could make an exception because he deserves it, not because he is my son,” Arce-Torres said.
With its leader out, Amity won the boys’ title 129-105 over Dayton, while Taft placed third at 92. Santiam Christian claimed the girls’ title 140-115 over Amity, with Taft third at 104.5.
“The District meet had some great results,” Arce-Torres said. “Things didn’t go as expected, but the underclassmen represented themselves very well. The program will continue to thrive with rising stars like Ella Knott. Kaden Wright, JJ French, Autumn Ellis, Jose Flores, William Calderon and many more.”
Knott broke her own school record to win the javelin Friday with a throw of 137 feet, 2 inches, and was second in the 400 and pole vault and third in the 200 in Saturday’s finals.
Ella Knott and Autumn Ellis
Wright won the 200 in a personal-best time of 23.80. He placed second in the 100.
Kaden Wright
Nightingale was second in the 1,500 and third in the 800.
Ellis was runner-up in the 3,000 finals Friday with a personal-best time of 12:21.36.
“Preston, Ella, Autumn and Kaden will be well-prepared for next week. I will make sure of it,” Arce-Torres said. “Two [Knott and Wright] have experienced Hayward and two [Nightingale and Ellis] will be wide-eyed.”
Freshman Jordyn Ramsey was third in the 800 and Ellis third with a PR in the 1,500, while junior Lydia Prins PR’d while placing third in the 3,000.
JJ French was third in the pole vault with a PR of 11 feet while setting a Taft High freshman record.
Junior Mad Scott was third in the javelin.
Mad Scott
Achieving PRs in Saturday’s finals were junior Jacob Mayoral (400, pole vault), freshman Brigido Zacarias (800), junior Micah McLeish (1,500, 3,000), sophomore Edson Fuentes (1,500), junior David Jin (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles), junior Clay Nelson (discus), junior Oscar Rodriguez-Meza (long jump, triple jump), French (110 hurdles) and Scott (shot put).
Freshman Brie LeBeouf (200), junior Savannah Russo (200), sophomore Olivia Williams (800) and Prins (800) also posted PRs.
Posting PRS on Friday were McLeish (3,000 meters), junior Joram Hoff (3,000), Rodriguez-Meza (long jump), Russo (200), junior Maleah Smith (shot put), freshman Elizabeth Kirkendall (javelin), freshman Lilly Parker (long jump), freshman Chris Gomez (high jump) and Scott (shot put).
“All of our kids are inspirational, for they met the requirements to be varsity athletes, and in my mind, that’s still something special. Win or lose, the rose above the average. They did things they couldn’t do three months ago and they flourished.”
“It was great to see how well our team performed, and I was super-proud of what we were able to accomplish,” Gabe said. “One day or one injury doesn’t define my whole season, or even my high school career. I know what kind of season I had and I’m proud of the things I did this year.”
Taft High sophomore Ella Knott broke her own school record to win the gold medal in the javelin Friday with a throw of 137 feet, 2 inches at the Class 3A West Valley League District Track and Field Championships in Dayton.
On Saturday, senior sprinter Gabe Arce-Torres will be the favorite in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes after qualifying first in all three events Friday. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the senior sprinter pulled a hamstring in his last qualifying event. His status is unknown at the time of this post.
Taft junior Mad Scott was third in the javelin in the boys’ finals with a toss of 155 feet, 6 inches.
Mad Scott
Sophomore Autumn Ellis was runner-up in the 3,000-meter run finals with a personal-best time of 12:21.36, while junior Lydia Prins placed third with a PR of 13:04.08.
Junior Micah McLeish (3,000 meters), junior Joram Hoff (3,000), freshman Chris Gomez (high jump), freshman Oscar Rodriguez-Meza (long jump), junior Savannah Russo (200), junior Maleah Smith (shot put), freshman Elizabeth Kirkendall (javelin), freshman Lilly Parker (long jump and Scott (shot put) posted personal-best efforts for Taft in other finals staged Friday.
Sophomore Kaden Wright qualified second in the 200 for the boys and Knott second in the 200 and 400 for the girls in Saturday’s finals.
Laboratory coordinator Diane Welsh inside the hospital laboratory, a very familiar place to her after 35 years of employment there.
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital staff took a mid-afternoon break on Tuesday, May 8, to recognize four dozen co-workers who reached employment milestones.
At the 2018 Service Awards Celebration, held in the hospital cafeteria, CEO Dr. Lesley Ogden praised the employees’ dedication to serving the community through their work at the hospital and medical clinics. Topping out the list at 35 years of service was Diane Welsh, Laboratory coordinator, with a hire date of April 18, 1983.
35-year employee Diane Welsh poses with CEO Dr. Lesley Ogden and her Laboratory manager, Stewart Pritchard.
Tracy Dahlman, Pharmacy coordinator, and Carol Scanlan, patient financial counselor, were honored for 30 years of service. Brietta Lefever, RN, of Emergency Services, was celebrated for 25 years.
Carol Scanlan, left, and Tracy Dahlman
Six staff members with 15 years of service were honored: Naomi Carter, Pharmacy; Sarah Lewis, Emergency Services; Rick Rhoton, Nursing Administration; Alicia Stevens, Medical/Surgical Unit; Kelly Taylor, Business Office; and Stacy Thompson, Nutrition Services.
The 15-year employees who attended the ceremony were, from left, Naomi Carter, Rick Rhoton and Kelly Taylor.
The 11 Samaritan employees with 10 years of service are: Dr. Jonathan Babbitt, Emergency Services; Jillian Cochran, Samaritan Women’s Health Center; Karen Dettner, Medical/Surgical Unit; John Jurkanin, Anesthesia; Sherri Nordyke, Patient Registration; Melissa Reade, Respiratory Therapy; Rhonda Salinas, Medical/Surgical Unit; Angel Serrato, Plant Engineering; Salena Veloz, Diagnostic Imaging; Mica Ward, Nutrition Services; and Liz Wood, Medical/Surgical Unit.
A total of 28 others were honored for five years of service.
During the ceremony, HR Director Heather Arce-Torres presented highlights from the years that employees were hired, while Dr. Ogden presented awards. In addition, the supervisors for the top three longest serving employees spoke about their employee, with heartfelt gratitude and a few humorous stories.
And they say the pursuit of perfection doesn’t come easy.
The undefeated West Valley League champion Taft High baseball team might beg to differ. The Tigers put the finishing touches on a 12-0 conference season Wednesday with a 14-4 victory at Dayton.
Sophomore designated hitter Caleb Jones drove in a team-leading three runs and senior first baseman Jack Stempel had three hits to power the No, 1–ranked Tigers to an unblemished conference record and 21-2 overall mark with their 15th straight win.
Jack Stempel
“It’s flat-out awesome,” senior shortstop Josh Salsbery said. “We pitched, hit and just played out of our minds and up to our potential for 12 games.”
Josh Salsbery
Senior pitcher Caleb King, junior left fielder Tyee Fisher, sophomore catcher Eli DeMello and Salsbery had two hits apiece. King, Stempel and Fisher drove in two runs each.
Eli DeMello
King, who started and earned the victory on the hill for the Tigers, doubled twice. He combined with Salsbery and Stempel to limit the Pirates (9-13, 6-6) to two hits.
Caleb King
“We knew we were going to see a better team than the last time we played Dayton [in a 19-0 home win April 20].” Taft coach Matt Hilgers said. “They made some great plays on defense that kept their energy up early. We maintained ourselves and battled them until we stared rolling.”
Leading 3-1, Taft scored eight runs in the top half of the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh.
“After a couple of low-scoring games, our bats came alive again,” King said. “The bottom of our lineup produced today, and that is always an awesome thing to see.”
The bottom third of Taft’s order – Jones and the Fisher cousins, Tyee and Trenton — contributed four runs on four hits with six RBIs.
Caleb Jones
“Our bats showed up again tonight and that has been a key to our success this year,” Stempel said.
Tyee Fisher
The 10-run road victory improved the Tigers’ scoring margin over league opponents to 156-8 this season, or more than 13 runs per game. Taft has outscored the opposition 256-63 in 23 contests.
“To only allow eight runs in a season is pretty incredible, so that goes to show how great our defense is also,” Stempel said. “It has been an unbelievable year, but we have more games to play.”
Cody Knott turns a doubleTrenton “Magnet” FisherJack Stempel toes the base for an out
The Tigers will meet Salem Academy (10-2, 6-1 3A PacWest) in the regular-season finale Tuesday in a game originally scheduled to be played in Keizer — site of the June 1 State title game. Hilgers said Wednesday he’s been told the game has been moved to the Crusaders’ home field due to maintenance at Volcanoes Stadium.
Taft will host a league playoff game at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 17, against a team to be determined.
“I couldn’t be any more excited about the playoffs and how I imagine the turnout,” said Salsbery, the Tigers’ captain along with Stempel and King. “We have an incredible group of guys with a mentality and desire to win.”
Kam Kessler
Taft’s only losses this season came back-to-back in late March when they lost 8-5 at second-ranked La Pine (18-2, 11-1 3A Mountain Valley) and 18-9 to Crook County (13-10, 8-6 4A Tri-Valley) in the Madras Tournament during spring break.
“Jack, Josh and I have always dreamed of winning a league title,” said King, “so sweeping through the West Valley League our senior year is definitely special, but that’s just one goal. The postseason is right around the corner, and we don’t plan on our season ending anytime soon.”
Coaches Matt Hilgers, left, and Jason King
Taft 14, Dayton 4
TAFT AB R H BI
Josh Salsbery 4 2 2 1
Eli DeMello 5 1 2 1
Caleb King 4 2 2 2
Jack Stempel 5 2 3 2
Cody Knott 4 2 1 0
Kam Kessler 4 1 0 1
Tyee Fisher 4 1 2 2
Caleb Jones 3 2 1 3
Trenton Fisher 4 1 1 1 TOTALS 37 14 14 13
DAYTON AB R H BI
Zach Russell 3 1 1 0
Josiah Primbs 4 0 0 0
Tristan Fergus 3 1 0 0
Luke Primbs 4 1 1 2
Liam Munoz 1 1 0 0
Cristian Garcia 3 0 0 0
Gavin Arce 2 0 0 0
Dylan Lane 1 0 0 1
Garrett Doran 3 0 0 0 TOTALS 24 4 2 3
TAFT 003 082 1 — 14 DAYTON 000 130 0 — 4
LOB–TAFT 7, DAYTON 8. ERR–Bleiz Kimbrough, Josh Salsbery, Gavin Arce, Liam Munoz, Tristan Fergus (2), Josiah Primbs. 2B–Caleb King (2), Caleb Jones, Luke Primbs. HBP–Gavin Arce. SACF–Josh Salsbery. SB–Eli DeMello, Jack Stempel, Zach Russell (2), Luke Primbs.
TAFT IP H R ER BB SO HR
Caleb King (W) 4.33 2 4 3 6 6 0
Josh Salsbery 1.67 0 0 0 1 1 0
Jack Stempel 1.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 DAYTON
Josiah Primbs (L) 4.00 9 8 5 1 3 0
Zach Russell 0.00 2 3 3 1 0 0
Liam Munoz 3.00 3 3 1 2 1 0 PB–Eli DeMello, Luke Primbs. BALK–Liam Munoz. BB–Caleb King, Kam Kessler, Cody Knott, Caleb Jones, Dylan Lane (2), Zach Russell, Liam Munoz (3), Tristan Fergus, Cristian Garcia.
Perennial West Valley power Dayton High gained the inside track to the league’s regular-season softball title Wednesday by turning back a last-inning Taft rally for a 9-7 home victory.
The Class 3A Pirates (17-7, 8-1) regained the state’s top ranking with the two-run victory behind senior starter Ani Heidt, who struck out 10 and walked one against the Tigers (16-8, 8-2).
“We actually played a very tough game on the road in a place where they have a lot of hometown pride and a big fan base,” Taft coach Sandy Stuart said.
Heidt went 3-for-3 with three RBIS, while sophomore catcher Sofia Cicirone was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, Senior shortstop Malina Ray and freshman first baseman Maddie Fluke had two hits each for the Pirates.
Dayton can clinch the league title Thursday with a victory at third-place Amity (11-7, 7-2), which defeated Sheridan 26-5 Wednesday.
“We came from behind and put a lot of runs on the board,” Stuart said. “We scored seven runs on a very good pitcher who has shut out quite a few teams this year. Ultimately, we had a couple of costly errors and couldn’t quite hold on to the game.”
Behind 3-0, Taft scored four runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead, but surrendered two runs in the bottom half of the inning and four in the fifth to trail 9-4 entering the seventh. A three-run rally came up short.
Taft senior third baseman Naomi Rini, senior center fielder Alyssa Tanksley, sophomore catcher Hailee Danneker and sophomore pitcher Emma Coulter had two hits each for Taft, while Danneker drove in three runs and scored twice.
“The important thing is we know that we can compete with, and beat, one of the top teams in the state,” said Stuart, whose Tigers defeated Dayton 4-2 at home on April 20. “Going in to the playoffs and the State tournament, if we play level-headed and play as a team, we can beat anyone.”
The Tigers conclude the regular season with two games next week – at 3:45 p.m. Monday at home against Yamhill-Carlton (10-12, 7-7 4A Oregon West) and at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at third-ranked Scio (21-2, 9-0 3A PacWest).
Russ Baldwin is running for circuit judge, answering a call to serve. We need forward thinking candidates to address our most serious problems, like poverty, drug addiction, homelessness, crime, and government accountability. These are complex issues. Solutions require fresh minds and a willingness to serve, so we support Russ Baldwin.
We have 3 former prosecutors on the bench emphasizing punishment and restitution for crime victims. But our criminal sentencing guidelines have been standardized by the state since 1989. That is what Mr. Baldwin meant when he said the criminal is not as complex as civil law.
We need an honorable and experienced civil rights lawyer on our bench. Victims of crime deserve compassion, sensitivity and protection by enforcement of laws. Russ Baldwin has that sensitivity and will enforce our laws. If elected, Russ Baldwin will also give similar protection to victims of corporate and governmental abuses. We know. He has assisted us and others for the last 8 years defending against a fraudulent mortgage and banking system. Such “civil” bad acts by big banks have been widely reported in the media nearly every week for the last several years. But our state courts have not been able to keep pace. No-one has been held accountable.
Homelessness, poverty, addiction and crime all increased in Lincoln County when hundreds of people lost their homes after the 2008 financial meltdown. Ten years later, our courts are not timely responding to those needs. Russ Baldwin understands complex litigation, securitization of home loans, mortgage and contract laws, and how a failure to require county recording has contributed to the epidemic of homelessness in our county. We need him on the bench for fairness and timely justice in these matters.
Most law relates to the civil relationships between private parties, and the non-criminalized relationship between citizens and the state. For example, Lincoln Case No. 17cv23360 challenges our local ordinance forbidding aerial spraying. At issue is the purity of our local water, and whether state law allows it to be poisoned through “pre-emption.” ORS 1.050 required the judge to make a decision within 3 months of submission. It was submitted on October 9, 2017. We have waited for 7 months—with no decision. That is the “black-hole” to which Mr. Baldwin publicly refers when showing that our civil docket is not being timely administered. How many more months must pass before our local law is either applied or reviewed on appeal? Pure water is human right, not a convenience. Ask Flint, MI.
It takes a brilliant legal mind with fortitude to go the distance when serving justice for everyone. Russ Baldwin knows that human rights matter, and he has protected those rights in court by challenging deep pockets. That is rare. He has the stamina and clarity to ask deeper questions of litigants and their attorneys. Russ Baldwin is ethical and honest, and is not beholden to any one, except to you the voter.
Pamela Staton, Ph.D.
Lauren Schickling
Lisa DeFalco
Yachats, Oregon
Turns out Taft High senior Maya Hatton’s fate was to arrange a date with State with her mates Tuesday at the District 2 girls golf championships.
Rhymes aside, Hatton’s play was pure poetry over two days of play at Santiam Golf Course in Aumsville.
In a word, it was great . . .
Saving her best for last, the 17-year-old senior shot a career-low 75 Tuesday to win her third District title and lead the Tigers to the OSAA Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls Golf Championships May 14-15 at Quail Valley Golf Course near Banks.
Hatton, who is headed to the College of Idaho to play golf in the fall, added a 1-over 75 to an opening 76 Monday for a school-record, 36-hole 151 to lead Taft to a State-qualifying second-place showing.
“I could not have asked for a better way to end my regular-season tournament play,” said Hatton, who imposed a short shelf life on her first-round 2-over effort as her career-best round by going one stroke better. “Everyone on my team played amazing today, and that is something I will carry with me forever.”
The Tigers finished eight shots behind the co-op team of Salem Academy/Blanchet Catholic and runner-up Katie Goodwin, who fell two strokes short of Hatton’s command performance on the par-74 Santiam layout near Salem. Hatton’s longtime youth golf rival and high school nemesis closed with a 77.
“Going into today, I knew that I had a lead on Katie before I even stepped into the first tee box, which made the first hole a little less stressful for me,” said Hatton, who made the turn with a four-stroke cushion. “I knew I had a couple of strokes to spare, but made sure to stay even-keel and focused.”
Hatton said she knew she had victory in the bag while standing over a par putt on the 17th green.
“I played the hole efficiently, but tried to play it slow, because that last hole was nothing but emotional for me,” she said.
After shedding tears with her playing partners on the closing hole, Hatton putted out on a four-year journey under her coaching parents, mother and longtime head coach, Heather, and assistant and father, Rick.
“I started these two days wanting to play good for myself, but more importantly to make my parents proud,” Maya said. “They have both put so much time and patience into developing my game, and we have all been waiting for me to strike the ball like this forever.”
Rick Hatton, Maya’s swing coach, proved Monday evening to be not only a mentor, but a caddy.
“After my round yesterday, my dad said, ‘I knew you could do it. I just didn’t think I’d be waiting until your senior year at Districts to see it happen. Now, go do it all again tomorrow.’ That statement is something I couldn’t agree with more, and what pushed me to play the same exact way today.”
Additional comments from Taft High head coach Heather Hatton
On Maya:
“As a mom and coach, I’m still in awe of what I witnessed the last two days from our No.1 — Maya Hatton. I’m also so over-the-top proud of my team putting together a team score on Day 2 26 strokes better than Day 1 with a 380. That is in the top 5 all-time best team scores in school history.
“Maya Hatton posted the lowest two-day score Taft has ever seen out of a female Tiger golfer. The closest was Jesse Weaver at the State tournament in 2013 with a 154. Maya posted a 151 — only 3-over par for two days. She shot a 75 on Day 2 with a triple bogey on No. 9 after a lost-ball penalty. She kept her composure and proceeded to play strong for the two-stroke win over two days.
“We have also never had a Lady Tiger three-time District champion. This is exciting for the program and for the school. Maya has worked so hard for so long to get here. She is a three-sport athlete who really is only able to dedicate her time starting with golf season in late February every year.
“This year, she started a little early to get herself ready for a competitive year. This wasn’t an easy season, as she worked on different areas of her game to get it dialed in when it counted the most. We aren’t just talking about a three-sport athlete who excels at her sports, but a strong academic student who is salutatorian and a volunteer in the school and our community.
“She has been volunteering in my youngest daughter’s classroom for the past few weeks (third grade) getting ready to be an education major when she enters College of Idaho in the fall. She has become such an amazing person that we can all be proud of, and I hope has inspired Tiger athletes to strive for the best they can be.
“Watching her dad follow her both days and the pride he had was something I will never forget. When she walked off the 18th green in tears and they embraced, I was a proud mom and wife, the coach in me was gone for just a moment. I’m tearing up now thinking about all of it.”
On the other players:
“Sammy Halferty really came alive both days with a 201. Her 104 on Day 1 was already a PR, then she continued the fire Day 2 with a 46 on the front nine after posting a 56 Day 1 on that same side. She finished with a 97 — breaking 100 as a sophomore only two years into her career.
“She is strong and truly amazed me both days putting together great rounds with all the pressure of our fight to win as a team. Sammy had a birdie on Day 1 and had an eagle putt Day 2. She ended with a par on that hole, but to give herself a chance at eagle in the early stages of her golf experience is incredible. Watching her perform at the level she did over two days was cool.
“Olivia Baker has been a solid player all season and really put together solid two days with a 110-107. She was crushing her drive on Tuesday. I’m excited to watch her compete at State. She is on the verge of breaking 100. She is now hitting the ball further and more solid and with that comes adjustments of your club usage which results in overshooting greens and putting yourself in to spots you aren’t used to.
“With her new-found distance, she really did a great job compensating Day 2 by improving by three strokes. When you have yardage issues with your clubs, it’s tough to adjust and she did it very well. She spent extra time working on her approach shots the morning of Day 2 and it paid off.
“Violet Palermini had a rough first day with a 116, but came back strong with a 15-stroke improvement Day 2. She was in some pain after the sun really got to her Day 1 with a pretty bad burn on her legs. She was determined not to let it affect her. Violet also was in a fun group Day 2 with a girls from Sweet Home, and they just had a great day on the course.
“Jocelyn Arguello played well her second year at Districts. She improved her score this year and each day. She had some great shots and like Olivia, needs to learn how to work with her new found distance. She is striking the ball better and now needs to work with that improvement in her swing.”
On the State tournament:
“Going in to State, we are in the top-five team scores and Maya goes in with a strong individual chance as well. But in golf, you never count yourself in until the final putt is made. You can’t predict what will happen on the course — you hit an awesome drive with a little draw in an area you think you’ll find it and, boom, you can’t find it, have a two-stroke penalty with lost ball and post a triple bogey.
“It’s the athletes that can recover from those truly annoying moments that will come out on top. State will be a game of mental toughness and hard work, experience and determination. I’m looking forward to our team doing their best — and that’s all I can expect.”
