Monticello golf team hits midseason stride
By Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The defending 1A State Champion Monticello High School girls golf team continues to dominate not only Region 19 but the entire state of Utah in 1A play as they cross through the midpoint of the season.
The Lady Buckaroos are 40 strokes ahead of second-place Manila and almost 85 strokes ahead of third-place Rich based on the average adjusted score for state qualifying events.
On gross averages Monticello is 54 strokes ahead of Manila and 104 ahead of Rich. Alise Lewis leads the state in the 1A ranks with a 91.76 average adjusted score and Alli Young is second with a 97.9.
Cambree Chamberlain currently sits fourth in the 1A rankings with a 99.28 average, Gabi Dowell is 13th with a 118.64, Lilli Burton is 16th with a 120.35, Jane Burton sits 21st with a 128.53, and Annaleigh Nebeker is 24th with a 135.74.
Monticello won their most recent round at the Hideout against Region 19 foes Green River and Pinnacle Academy on April 18. The team shot a combined 398 gross.
Alli Young led the way for the Lady Bucks with a 91 on the day. Alise Lewis carded a 97, Cambree Chamberlain scored 102, and Lilli Burton got a 108.
The boys team isn’t too shabby either. They lead Region 19 by 89 strokes over second-place Green River and 128 strokes over Pinnacle based on the average adjusted score.
Buckaroos make up the top four spots in the individual standings. Darren Westcott is first with an 80.92-stroke average, Traken Lee is second with an 81.24, Curtis Bunker third with a 95.98, and Jackson Keyes fourth with a 96.8.
Kooper Nielson currently sits in sixth place among Region 19 players with a nice 98.84 average. Canyon Christensen is seventh with a 109.51, and JD McDonald is ninth with a 116.31.
Ryan Holt weighs in with a 116.71 average, good enough for tenth place. Carter Harrod is 12th with a 118.59 average, Carter Francom is 14th with a 120.68, and Lander Hart is 16th with a 124.23.
Currently there are no standings for any regions other than Region 19 displaying on the Utah High School Golf webpage.
Like the girls, the Monticello boys won their match at the Hideout on April 18 easily with a 355 team gross.
Traken Lee led the Buckaroos with an impressive round of 79. Darrin Westcott was right behind with an 81, Jackson Keyes shot a 96, Curtis Bunker carded a 99, and Kooper Nielson rounded out the top five with a round of 100.
Monticello is set for another state qualifier against Region 19 opponents at the Carbon Country Club in Price on Wednesday, April 24.