For some high school seniors, the end of the school year brings days jammed full of important events.
Take the case of Rock Canyon senior Allie Johnston. On Monday morning, here were the two things on the agenda for the 2011 CWGA Junior Player of the Year: high school graduation ceremonies and the first day of the state tournament.
Most student-athletes wouldn’t want to miss either event, and despite a tight time frame, Johnston didn’t. After “walking” at commencement at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch, she shot a 3-over-par 75 at the 5A state high school tournament and trails co-leaders Shannon Lubar of Chatfield (pictured above) and Hannah Wood of Arapahoe (pictured below) by four strokes.
Johnston, the 2011 CWGA Junior Stroke Play champion, received some cooperation from Rock Canyon school administrators — who moved the start time of graduation from 11 a.m. to 8:30 — and from the CWGA, which accommodated roughly 10 graduation-related requests on Monday.
“I got to school at 7, I walked, exited out the side and came here,” Johnston said. “Graduation started at 8:30 and they had me walk first which was pretty funny because it went ‘Johnston,’ then started with the A’s. They just had me walk, then just keep walking straight out.
“I wanted to be there, and it was cool to be there.”
Though Johnston admits her “mind was not in golf mode,” the future Texas-San Antonio golfer is still in contention for the 5A title — as are quite a few players.
Wood and Lubar were the only two golfers to break par on Monday, firing 1-under-par 71s. Legacy sophomore Sarah Hankins carded an even-par 72. In all, there are 14 players packed from 4 over par to 1 under, including defending champion SeungHa Choi of Overland.
Wood picked a very good time to tie the best round of her young golf career, which left her atop the leaderboard at the halfway point of the 36-hole event.
“This is pretty good,” she said despite a couple of three-putts. “I’m trying to go low but it’s kind of hard.”
Wood has been on a nice roll the last few days. On Sunday, she won a CJGA Spring Series tournament at CommonGround and Kennedy golf courses by three strokes. And she carried that strong play over to Aurora Hills, where she posted four birdies and three bogeys. And she capped off Monday’s round with a 20-foot birdie chip-in on No. 18.
So Wood will be in the final group Tuesday (10:27 a.m.) along with Lubar and Hankins. Coincidentally, she was in the lead group for the final round at state last year, but she doesn’t want a repeat of that performance as she shot a final-day 87 to tie for 10th place.
“I’m kind of nervous,” she said. “It’s kind of nerve-wracking, but I know my game is pretty good. I’ve just got to work on my putting. I might have trouble sleeping tonight.”
Lubar is certainly no stranger to pressure situations on the golf course. A year ago, the University of Denver golf signee qualified and competed in the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
On Monday, the Chatfield golfer moved a step closer to her longtime goal of winning a state high school title by recording three birdies and two bogeys in her round of 71.
“It would mean everything (to win this),” said Lubar, who placed seventh at state last year. “I’ve wanted to win state since I was in seventh grade. I’ve always been working toward it. If I don’t, it’s not the end of the world but it’s something I’d really like to do.
“If I beat the course I beat the girls so I’m going to keep focusing on myself and beat the course.”
In the team competition, 2010 champion Arapahoe holds a two-stroke lead over defending champ Cherry Creek. Arapahoe posted a 4-over-par 220 total for its top three players.
Regis’ Kershisnik Fires 70 to Lead 4A Tourney: Regis Jesuit senior Kathleen Kershisnik, who has finished second, third and fourth in her three previous trips to the state tournament, shot a 3-under-par 70 Monday at Boomerang Golf Links in Greeley to grab a two-stroke lead in the 4A state meet.
Kershisnik made seven birdies in her round on Thursday.
Pueblo South’s Bryce Schroeder, the 2011 runner-up, shares second place at 72 with Broomfield’s Taylor Dorans, who placed sixth at state each of the last two seasons. Jennifer Kupcho of Jefferson Academy is in fourth place at 73.
Regis, which finished third at state last year, holds a 14-stroke lead over Valor Christian at the halfway point of the team competition. Regis posted a 6-over-par 225 total.
Both the 4A and 5A tournament will conclude on Tuesday.
For scores and pairings, CLICK HERE FOR 5A and CLICK HERE FOR 4A.
