Big piece missing from CV boys state qualifiers

Central Valley boys golf coach Steve Rasmussen was proud of his team’s efforts at the District 8 4A tournament, but he couldn’t quite go all-in on the celebration.

The Bears grabbed five of eight state tournament berths on a blustery Wednesday at Wandermere, but Greater Spokane League player of the year Jake Dringle wasn’t among the qualifiers.

“So even with five guys going my heart is still a little heavy,” Rasmussen said. “That would be another reason why it would make sense if we could go as a team.”

CV freshman Riley Hadley and Mead sophomore Nick Muxlow shared medalist honors. Hadley, who opened with 73 at Qualchan on Monday, shot a 78.

“That was a little rough to triple (bogey) 18, but I was happy with my round and how it all turned out,” Hadley said.

Muxlow tripled No. 3 but rebounded for a 3-over 73.

“I was just hitting it good, keeping it in play,” he said. “I kind of knew where it was going.”

Hadley will be joined at state by teammates Cole Howard, Zach Stocker, Brady Sanders and Isaac Emerson, Lewis and Clark’s Chase Mickelson and Gonzaga Prep’s Patrick Parelius, who won a four-man playoff for the eighth spot.

Gonzaga Prep senior Kelly Hooper was the girls’ medalist after firing a 76 for a two-round 157. She eagled the 405-yard par 5 10th after a 285-yard drive and an approach to 4 feet.

“I putted well,” said the Montana State-bound Hooper, who will be joined at state by teammates Hannah Rieckers and Jordan Jaeger. “My round (at Qualchan) was a struggle with the putting.”

LC’s Jessica McCourt shot a 78 to finish second. The Tigers’ Skylar Kersten and Aubrey Davis and University’s Courtney Jackson and Hannah Gropp also earned state berths.

In 3A, Mt. Spokane’s girls took five of six state spots while the Wildcat boys claimed four of five.

Medalist Megan Billeter fired a 79 to finish eight strokes in front of teammate Cailin Spencer.

“It wasn’t anything special,” said Billeter, who had a two-round 156. “I just tried to play smart and keep it in the 70s.”

Mt. Spokane’s Brook Fraser, Katie Maher and Kailyn Jones and Shadle Park’s Olivia Clarke also qualified for state.

Shadle Park’s Mitchell Weipert (72) fired the lowest score of the day for a two-round 147, four strokes ahead of Mt. Spokane’s Sam Stiles and Gunnar Knutson.

Weipert drained five birdies to offset an out-of-bounds on No. 12 and an unplayable lie on No. 10.

“I’m satisfied with my score,” he said. “I’m playing pretty well.”

The Wildcats’ Ross Morrison (153) and Landon Spencer (155) also are state-bound.

“It’s a great example of two incredible seniors (Stiles and Morrison) playing with the two freshmen (Knutson and Spencer) in their groups and pulling them through the round,” coach Greg Schultz said. “At one point, Gunnar was five-over after five, Sam willed him back.”