(Bethany Brookens/CHSAANow.com)
COLORADO SPRINGS — After a shaky first round, the Cheyenne Mountain girls golf team delivered a state championship performance Tuesday at the Country Club of Colorado.
The Indians, who were in third following the first day, fired a second round 250 to beat Montrose by 15 strokes to capture their second consecutive Class 4A state title at their home course.
“We just focused and played like we were capable of (Tuesday),” said veteran Cheyenne coach Bill Paulson, whose team trailed Montrose by three strokes after the first round. “(Monday) we shot way above what we normally shoot and I think (Monday) was all about nerves and feeling the pressure of being on our own golf course.”
Cheyenne Mountain finished with a 520 total on the challenging par-72 course. The Indians were powered by Kylee Sullivan (168), Kelly Kruse (173), Samantha Weber (179) and Rachel Knobbs (208).
“It’s crazy, I can’t believe it happened again,” said Kruse, the team’s lone senior. “I’m just so thankful. It’s awesome that it happened on our home course.”
(Bethany Brookens/CHSAANow.com)
Sullivan admitted her team changed its mindset on Tuesday.
“We tried to forget (Monday) and we knew we had to fight back and win,” said Sullivan, who shot a team-best 81 Tuesday. “There was a lot of pressure on us. A lot of people think it should be easier to win on your home course, but this course wasn’t easy for anyone. It was a tough, tough course and it was a great state course. So to win her is just awesome.”
Montrose finished the tourney with rounds of 267 and 268.
Individually, Jennifer Kupcho coasted to her first state crown. The Jefferson Academy junior fired a 2-over-par 146. Valor Christian’s Andrea Ballou was second with a 160 total.
This state title was three years in the making for Kupcho, who had rounds of 72 and 74 at the Country Club of Colorado. She finished third at state as a freshman and was second a year ago.
“I had a good round Monday and I just came out and played consistent (Tuesday),” said the 5-foot-4 Kupcho, who has already verbally committed to play at Wake Forest University. “I’m really excited to be a state champion. I’m really happy.”
Last year, Kupcho was runner-up to Montrose’s Kala Keltz by two strokes.