Cougars send four golfers to state

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars completed their run at the 2B District 5 golf tournament Wednesday at Colockum Ridge with four of their athletes qualifying for the state tournament. For the boys Jaden Hernandez, Everett Cox and JJ Madsen, and for the girls, Amaya Erickson, will all head out to Liberty Lake Golf Course to compete in the state tournament. 

“I was really proud of all the kids,” said Cougars Boys Coach Tim Carlberg. “Overall, we’re extremely happy to get all four of them through.” 

Wednesday brought heavy rainfall throughout the Columbia Basin, which had a direct impact on the golfers competing at Colockum Ridge in the district tournament. 

“Everything went well with the exception of the weather,” said Carlberg. “We got about halfway done with the boys side of the field and the rain just came down like a firehose on us and at one point it was hailing and there were 30 mile an hour winds.” 

The tournament had to be postponed until the weather cleared up, but once the Cougars got back on the course and rallied to find success.  

Jaden Hernandez, a junior for the Cougars had one of the top performances of the day as he finished with a final score of 80 to tie for second.  Not too far behind was Warden sophomore, Everett Cox, who finished the course with a score of 83 to tie for fifth.  

Despite starting off the day behind, sophomore JJ Madsen came back from the weather delay to climb up the rankings and finish the day with an overall score of 85 to take ninth. 

“(Madsen) told me he couldn’t feel his hands on the club and he really had to finish strong to make the cut for state,” said Carlberg. “I think the last six holes he played one under par and it just really was a testament to his mental toughness and ability to persevere with a tough day start wise.” 

Amaya Erickson, a senior from Warden, was the lone golfer from the girls team to move on from the league championship to the district championship tournament. At Colockum Ridge, Erickson finished with a score of 101 to take eighth in districts.  

“She’s golfed all four years of high school and made it to state three of the four years,” said Cougars Girls Coach Desiree McCullough. 

The senior has a tough road ahead of her as she not only faces the state golf championship this week but has also been competing through softball district play for a chance to make state. The Cougars softball team played throughout the weekend, results of their games were not available at press time.  

“She’s just juggling,” said McCullough. “She’s a running start student so she can kind of make her own schedule in a way, but she’s a very busy kid.” 

As Erickson prepares to head into the state tournament, McCullough said she is working with the senior on course management and getting out the state jitters. The coach is feeling confident in the abilities Erickson has shown over the years as she heads into her final state tournament as a Cougar. 

“I feel like Amaya’s been able to accomplish what she has because of her mental toughness,” she said. 

For Hernandez, Cox and Madsen, the trio will be returning to the state tournament for the second year in a row. Carlberg said the focus for the Cougars has been to just maintain where they are at, take light practices at Sage Hills Golf Course and work to rest their bodies ahead of the 2B state tournament. 

The boys are also riding the high of winning the league tournament a few weeks prior, which the boys coach said hasn’t been done in decades. 

“That was pretty cool to see them win a team title for our league, and I’m hoping we carry it over to state,” said Carlberg.  

The Cougars are heading out to compete in the 2B State Golf Championships at Liberty Lake Golf Course Tuesday. Those who compete well enough will move on to compete in the second round Wednesday for a chance to bring home hardware. 

    Warden senior Amaya Erickson takes a swing at the ball during the district tournament Wednesday. Erickson qualified for her third state tournament appearance.
  

    Warden sophomore Everett Cox and a golfer from LaSalle play on the ninth green just before the horn blew to stop play due to heavy rainfall.
  

    Amaya Erickson, a senior from the Cougars prepares to swing at the ball as she competes at Colockum Ridge.
  

    Cougars sophomore JJ Madsen looks toward the hole as he plans out his swing during the district golf tournament Wednesday.