Ephrata girls golf places third at state

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers girls golf team finished in the top three at the 2A state tournament, with six players making an appearance. Head coach Tracy Pickeral was pleased with her team's performance.  

“It was exciting; it's been a long time since we've had that many girls qualify. So, taking six girls was exciting because, again, I knew it gave us a really good chance to qualify multiple girls for the second day, which is important to be able to score points for it as a team for the second day,” she said.  

Of the six players to qualify, the Tigers had three move onto day two of the tournament. Placing eighth was Jayme Dwight, who was also named MVP and first team All-Conference for the CWAC last week. On day one she shot a 79, well below the 96 cut off for day two. On day two, she shot an 82, setting her overall score at 161.  

“She's just a really steady golfer, she doesn't let a bad shot, or a bad hole get in her head. So, she's really able to come back from something that doesn't go her way.” Pickeral said. “She puts a lot of time outside of the season into her golf game. I honestly think she wasn't surprised at the outcome, because I think she expected that of herself, but definitely was pleased with herself.”  

Stella Bayley placed second highest for the Tigers at 15th, on day one she shot an 86 and tightened her scoring on day two with an 85. Her overall score was 171.  

“If you watch her demeanor, when she's playing, you don't really get a sense of where she's at. She kind of had a blow-up hole, but she was able to kind of pull herself back together and not make that same mistake,” Pickeral said.  

Scoring third highest for the Tigers was Logan Pickeral. On day one, she shot a 95, and a 103 on day two. Her overall score added up to 198. Coach Pickeral said she has shown a lot of improvement from the previous season.  

“She has improved a ton from last year too. She was typically shooting in the hundreds last year, and I think for all but maybe three of her matches this year, she shot under 100 and we knew that was probably what it was going to take to get to state,” Pickeral said.  

The trio have been stand-out players for the Tigers all season. Bayley and Pickeral joined Dwight in being named to the first team All-Conference for the CWAC. Pickeral pointed out her players ability to pick each other up through tournaments this year.  

“Stella and Logan in particular, are also really good at encouraging their teammates and just trying to help everybody make improvements. They're really good at helping each other try to figure things out during practice and Jamie will jump in there. So, they're all kind of helping each other be their best,” she said.  

As the Tigers wrap up their season, Pickeral will have to say goodbye to three seniors, Logan Pickeral, Stella Bayley, and Jadynn Johnson, who was named to the second team All-Conference.  

Pickeral said she is confident her returning players will be able to improve and return to states next season.  

“Alyee (Roberts) showed huge improvements from last year to this year. She's going to be a junior next year, so if she keeps playing and putting that work into it, I easily see her returning too, so that's exciting. Then that only puts me at five. So, we're really hoping to get some more girls out,” she said.  

    Logan Pickeral on the course at a tournament earlier this season. Pickeral was named first team All-Conference and made it to day two of the state tournament.
  

    Jadynn Johnson hits the ball across the green. Johnson was named second team All-Conference and made an appearance in the state tournament.