Whalen ties for 7th at WJGA state tournament

SPOKANE - Ephrata's Aaron Whalen posted a 54-hole score of 223 and finished tied for seventh in the Boys 16-17 division at the 2014 Washington Junior Golf Association Boys State Championships at Manito Golf and Country Club.

Whalen was consistent throughout the tournament, posting scores of 74, 74 and 75 over the three-round event.

Moses Lake's Brody Milbrandt was unable to advance to the third round of the tournament after recording a 36-hole score of 157.

Sam Warkentin, of Bainbridge Island, shot a final round 71 and secured a 1-shot victory over Bellevue's Matt Marrese to win the state title.

Warkentin also earned WJGA Boys Player of the Year honors at the conclusion of the event.

On the girls side, Tacoma's Olivia Benzin totalled a 54-hole score of 211 to capture the state championship.

Benzin's first round score of 6-under par gave her a healthy lead entering the final 36 holes and she was able to edge Sarah Rhee, of Lynwood, by 2 strokes.

Spokane's Sierra Kersten, who finished in third place, was named the WJGA Girls Player of the Year.

Full results are available at www.wjga.net.