All three defending team champions – Lake Owego in 6A, Wilsonville in 5A and Salem Academy in 4A/4A/2A/1A – are in position to repeat as champion after the first day of the two-day OSAA / OnPoint Community Credit Union Girls Golf State Championships.
Lake Oswego, which defeated Sunset by 14 strokes last year to win its first title since 1978; led by six strokes over the Apollos at +22 after Monday’s first round, played in overcast, sometimes rainy and windy conditions at Emerald Valley Country Club in Creswell. Jesuit, which was third in 2024, sat five strokes further back in third place.
The Lakers, who returned all scorers from a year ago, had three of their four scoring players break 80 on the par 72 course: senior Ansley Kang (74) and juniors Hailey Lim (74) and Alexis Zou (77).
So, too, did Sunset, with sophomore Shravya Kumar (74), junior Eugene Yi (74) and senior Erika Kobayashi (77) all in individual contention.
Lake Oswego head coach Micah Frey said that he was encouraged by what his players did today, given that when they started, the clouds were spitting and the wind was blowing. Lim, the team’s No. 1 golfer all year, recovered from a challenging start to match the unheralded Kang with opening scores of 74.
“Overall, the players and I know there is opportunity for improvement,” Frey said. “I am super encouraged. We will likely get a strong contribution from Olivia Mygrant and Kennady Hottel tomorrow.”
Westview sophomore Melinee Udom and Mountainside sophomore Kristine Shin shot even par scores of 72 to lead 15 players at 78 or better. Udom, who finished second for individual medalist honors a year ago; and Shin, who finished fourth; are vying for their first state titles. Lakeridge freshman sensation Hannah Wendorf was just one back after a one-over-par 73. Six more players shot first-round scores of 74, including Clackamas sophomore Jessi Tantog and Ida B. Wells freshman Lennon Schmidt.
Jesuit senior Kate Lee, who won the 6A individual title in 2024, shot a 6-over 78. Lee would have to go very low on Tuesday to repeat as champion, as there are currently 14 players between her and the lead.
Cleveland junior Kate Ly, who tied for fifth a year ago, is one of three players four back after opening with 76. Ly’s sister, Kyra Ly, shot 14-under 130 in 2022 on this course to shatter the state tournament scoring record.
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Wilsonville won its third team title all-time and second in three years last season when it dominated 5A, besting second-place Summit by 36 strokes.
This year, the Wildcats are poised to win by an even larger margin after a terrific first day at Emerald Valley. After a comparatively slow start, they lengthened their lead throughout Monday afternoon, and left the course up by 43 strokes over North Eugene, their nearest competitor. Summit is six strokes even further behind.
Not only that, Wilsonville had the Day 1 individual leader, junior Layla Sidhu, who shot three-over 75. The Wildcats also had three others finish among the top six. That’s an unbeatable combination when the top four finishers for each team have their scores count.
Sidhu holds the individual lead by two strokes over North Eugene senior Francesca Tomp. Tomp, who is vying to be only the second four-time state champion in OSAA girls golf history, had two early bogeys but turned in even-par 36 after recovering with two birdies. A tough stretch on the back nine, which included a double bogey and three bogeys over five holes, put the Portland State recruit in the clubhouse at five over 77. Tomp won the first of her state championships at Emerald Valley in 2022.
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In the 4A/3A/2A/1A tournament, played at par-71 Trysting Tree in Corvallis, Salem Academy, which won its first team title last year; led St. Mary’s of Medford by 16 strokes at +47 after one round. Crook County, the state runner up to SA last year by 14 strokes, was 31 back of the reigning champs and in third place after one day.
Catlin Gabel junior Vishaka Priyan, who was second last year to Valley Catholic freshman Maddie Conser, led the field by four strokes after shooting a nifty four-under round of 67. Conser is not competing this year, after transferring to a private online academy, based on California, for student athletes and performers.
“This allows me to have more time to play and practice golf while still attending school,” she said. “Unfortunately the OSAA did not allow me to play high school golf because my school was not a part of an Oregon school district. But I am still playing local tournaments and competing nationally!”
Only five players broke 80 on Day 1 at Trysting Tree. Two are on the Crusaders, who brought back everyone from last year’s title team. Sophomore Chloe Johnston shot even par 71 to stay within striking distance of Priyan. Sophomore Ellie Gladow came in with a seven-over 78.
Banks junior Jade Janecek currently sits in third place at plus-3 74. North Valley senior London Kilborn is tied for fourth with Gladow after an opening-round 78.
johnt@osaa.org
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