REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
Kamas 1st, Stitt 4th as KHS tops field, qualifies for state
KINGFISHER HIGH SCHOOL’S girls golf team defeated Pauls Valley by three strokes Thursday to win a Class 4A regional championship and advance to this week’s state tournament in Oklahoma City. Maddi Kamas was also the individual regional champion while Alexis Stitt was the fourth-place medalist. Team members are, from left, Kari Shepard, Sierra Townsend, Kamas, Stitt, Olivia Wilcox and coach Audra Smalley. [Photo by Russell Stitt/www.stitt.smugmug.com]
KARI SHEPARD prepares to hit one on the front-nine of Thursday's 4A girls golf regional. [Photos by Russell Stitt/www.stitt.smugmug.com]
SIERRA TOWNSEND watches her chip shot. [Photos by Russell Stitt/www.stitt.smugmug.com]
OLIVIA WILCOX tees off on the fifth hole. Wilcox helped the Lady Jackets win the team title [Photos by Russell Stitt/www.stitt.smugmug.com]
MADDI KAMAS connects on her tee shot on the third hole during Thursday’s 4A girls golf regional. Kamas parred the hole, one of 13 pars during her round of 3-under 69, which was good to win the individual regional championship by 11 strokes. [Photos by Russell Stitt/www.stitt.smugmug.com]
Nerves were already at an all-time high for Alexis Stitt.
And then Wednesday happened.
“I wasn’t hitting the ball very well in practice and it really upset me because I know I can do better than that,” said the Kingfisher High School junior golfer.
Why so anxious?
Stitt was about to play in the biggest tournament of the season, the 4A regional KHS was set to host Thursday.
She’d already shown anxiousness for a week leading up to the regional.
“I didn’t want to let the team down,” she said.
On top of that, the regional was delayed two days due to weather. And then to top that off, the biggest gallery Stitt’s played in front of all season was standing over her shoulder as she teed off on the first hole at Kingfisher Golf Course.
Stitt promptly parred the first hole.
“After that, all my nerves went away,” she said.
It showed.
Stitt shot a career-best 87, a score that tied her for fourth place individually. She later staked sole claim to that finish by winning a one-hole playoff.
“I have been working on my chipping and putting and it showed today,” Stitt said of her round. “I also just tried not to get angry and have a positive outlook.”
Her performance also helped the Lady Jackets edge Pauls Valley for the regional championship while qualifying for next week’s state tournament.
“I’m so proud of how well they all played today,” coach Audra Smalley said. “We have been working really hard. The girls stay late and want to practice on days off. It’s so rewarding to see their hard work pay off.”
While Stitt was working her way through the course, behind her was sophomore Maddi Kamas being…well, Maddi Kamas.
For the seventh consecutive tournament, Kamas won medalist honors, this time with a 3-under-par 69.
That score was 11 strokes better than individual runner-up Abby Weatherford of Pauls Valley.
She started with a birdie on 1, finished the front at even-par, then birdied the par-5 10th and par-4 11th. She added another birdie on 14.
Her day consisted of just one bogey.
While she was mixing in some birdies with a heaping helping of pars, Kamas was also keeping tabs on her teammates.
“Every hole I ask coach Smalley how they’re doing,” Kamas said. “And it makes me so happy when I hear they’re playing well because I want them to do good more than anything.”
Kamas was happy Thursday.
Sierra Townsend shot a 91 and Olivia Wilcox a 97 while Kari Shepard carded a 104.
But as good as Kingfisher was playing, Pauls Valley was better.
With one group to go, Pauls Valley held a 13-stroke lead over KHS.
As Pauls Valley’s Marti Fisher struggled down the stretch, Kamas was steady and eventually beat her by 16 strokes, bringing home the regional crown for the team (344 to 347).
Although the team title had been decided, it turned out Stitt’s day wasn’t done.
She was tied with Blanchard’s Carly Craig for the fourth-place medalist.
They marched back out to 18 for the sudden victory playoff.
Stitt’s nerves returned.
“I was very nervous,” she said. “I was shaking, but coach Smalley calmed me down.”
Stitt got over the pond safely and had a long par putt that she missed. However, she knocked in the bogey, which was good enough to win the hole.
“I’m just really happy I played well and was a big contributor in us getting the regional title,” Stitt said. “I’m extremely excited and amazed how far we have come this year.”
Notes:
• This is Kingfisher’s second consecutive trip to state with last year’s coming in 3A.
• Cushing, with a 396, also qualified from the Kingfisher regional. Three teams from each of four regionals moved on to the state tournament. Failing to qualify were Bridge Creek and Bethany.
• Also moving on were three individuals from non-qualifying teams: Craig; Averi Herburger of Blanchard with a 92; and Kaylee Edwards of Bridge Creek with a 101.
• State will be played next Wednesday and Thursday (May 1-2) at Lake Hefner South in Oklahoma City. It will consist of 18 holes each day, weather permitting.
• Last year’s 3A tournament was cut short due to inclement weather after one day. Kamas tied for sixth individually.
Team Standings
Kingfisher 344
Pauls Valley 347
Cushing 396
Bridge Creek 434
Bethany 499
Top individuals: Maddi Kamas, Kingfisher, 69; Abby Weatherford, Pauls Valley, 80; Marti Fisher, Pauls Valley, 85; Alexis Stitt, Kingfisher, 87.