Laurel programs sweep at State A golf, Tricia Joyce wins first title, Ryggs Johnston wins again

RYGGS JOHNSTON/Kyle.Houghtaling@406mtsports.com

HAMILTON — When Libby's Ryggs Johnston walked off the ninth green Saturday at the Hamilton Golf Club, the senior knew he had won the State A boys title.

But Johnston ended his illustrious prep career — likely the best-ever in Montana high school golf history — with a bogey.

"I don't know if there's ever too much smiling after a bogey," Johnston said. 

What can you say? The kid is the ultimate competitor. The last two days at the state tournament — and the last four years — are proof.

The Libby senior carded a 67-70—137 to claim his fourth straight state title across two different classifications. He joins Columbus' Brandon Davison (1995-98) as the only other four-time boys champion, according to the Montana High School Association, and Johnston did it all in dominant fashion.

His 7-under par 137 ties the second-best Class A mark at state, per the MHSA, and it trails only his own Class A record he set last season in Sidney (134). Johnston also owns the Class B and all-class record at 128. He hasn't lost a prep tournament in Montana since the regular season of his freshman year.

"...I'm kind of relieved it's over," Johnston said. "It's been a goal for me since freshman year and I achieved it, so I'm happy."

"Winning a state championship is not easy."

For the last four seasons, however, Johnston surely made it look that way.

***

Butte Central's Tricia Joyce is someone who knows just how difficult it is to win a state title. 

For three seasons, Joyce placed in the Top 4 at state, including a second-place finish her freshman season.

On Saturday, she finally got her turn atop the podium.

"I don't know if it's really hit me yet, but I'm just glad I didn't lose," Joyce said succinctly.

Joyce shot a 75-77—152 to fight off feisty Corvallis freshman Macee Greenwood by five strokes. The back-and-forth play between the underclassman and upperclassman played out for 36 holes, as it had all season.

"We were battling back and forth. I'd blow up on a hole and she'd make birdie, and then we'd do the opposite," Greenwood said. "It definitely kept me focused the whole round."

In the blustery weather at the Hamilton Golf Club Saturday, Joyce said she just stayed within herself, and ultimately the experience won out.

She finished with a 2-foot par putt on Hole 18, managing her nerves just enough to make winning state seem simply routine.

"I just didn't want to miss it — I didn't want to 3-putt my last hole — I just had to make that last putt," Joyce said.

"It feels pretty awesome. This is the way I wanted to end it."

***

For Laurel coach Jim O'Neil, the Locomotives state titles mean just a little more this season. 

The Class A trophy for the Laurel girls is a symbol to the dedication that they put in place before the season.

"We met in the winter and I told them I believed that if they collectively put their efforts together that we could win a state championship," O'Neil said. "They worked incredibly hard and achieved that goal."

For the boys, celebrating their second straight team title, it's a fitting farewell to O'Neil's son in his senior season.

"Detaching myself as dad is difficult in a situation like this, but this I know — I'm incredibly proud of all of these guys," O'Neil said. "What they did was pretty dang impressive."

No doubt.

The Top 4 Laurel boys, Carson Hackmann, Nick Pasquarello, Cash Golden and Jim's son, Paul O'Neil, all finished with all-state rounds a day after shooting just 1-over par collectively on Friday. Carson Hackmann, O'Neil's nephew, led the bunch with a 145, finished in a four-way second-place tie overall.

Pasquarello, placed sixth with a 71-79—150, Golden finished a stroke behind that and Paul placed ninth with a 152. 

"Paul had our lowest score average for this season, and he didn't get it done today, but he is the glue that held this thing together," coach O'Neil said of his son. "...(As a dad), I'm a little disappointed for him, but my pride in Paul is indescribable."

Saturday's 308 as a team kept the Locomotive boys from capturing the Class A record round, but the 289-308—597 is still the fourth-best team-finish ever, according to the MHSA. It trails two other Laurel programs (589, 1999; 593, 1998), and Whitefish (595, 2006).

To illustrate just how tough the Laurel boys were, even the Locomotives fifth golfer, Kade Ewalt, posted an all-state round with a 12-place 80-79—159. Because it was the lowest score for Laurel, though, it didn't count to the final team total.

The Laurel girls won in similarly dominant fashion turning in another true team performance. 

"Our girls shot their lowest round of the year today, so to play their best round at the most important time of the year says something about this group," O'Neil said of the Locomotive girls, celebrating their first state championship since 1971. 

Sisters Hannah and Haylee Adams finished tied for fourth place, each shooting a 176 over two days. Elise Shovar placed ninth with a 184, and Keli Hodges finished just outside the top 15 with a 190.

"It was a collective effort where they just cared about each other and they would not let the other one down," O'Neil said. "They were a band of sisters."

***

Similar story lines abounded on the final day of the Class A state tournament in Hamilton. For Corvallis' Keelee Storrud, the senior shot one of her best rounds — a 90, that was oh-so close to her goal of an 89.

Still, Storrud's eighth-place finish, along with Greenwood's second-place 78-79—157 helped power the Blue Devils to a third-place trophy — the first piece of hardware for the third-year program.

"I'm just really proud, just touched. To come this far in a short period of time shows you what kind of kids they are," said a teary-eyed coach Kristy Schlimgen alongside her son, Luke, who also garnered all-state honors with a 12th-place finish on the boys' side.

The Stevensville boys also brought home their first-ever state trophy, eking out third place by one stroke over Frenchtown, 659-660. It's been a longtime coming for coach Jack Filcher, who couldn't hide his smile when he found out his boys had done it.

Zel Frost led the Yellowjackets with an 11th place 78-80—158, one season after missing the cut by one spot. 

"It feels good to say we accomplished that and brought home a trophy," Frost said.

Ivan Yazvac also claimed all-state honors, placing 15th alongside Ryan Adolph of Billings Central.

Not to be outdone, the hosting Hamilton boys finished second overall with a two-day score of 309-316—625. That score would have been good enough to win the last six Class A state tournaments.

"I'm very proud of the boys. We've got some boys that are kind of frustrated with the way they golfed the last two days, but I'm so proud of them," Hamilton coach Owen Burch said. "Second place, and the score we shot; I mean, we shot a 309 yesterday and were 20 shots out of first place. That's never happened to me in 34 years of coaching."

With the silver, though, three Bitterroot schools brought home state hardware, a fact the friendly rivals celebrated after the tournament. The Stevi and Hamilton boys and Corvallis girls, all stood alongside each other for a photo op.

Individually, the Broncs' Tristan Hanson tied Ryggs Johnston's second-day low score of 70 to move into a 4-way second-place tie in the individual race, making for a hysterical sight on the podium. Hanson had to shimmy alongside Polson's Matt Hobbs, Whitefish's Cameron Kahle and Laurel's Hackmann on the podium's second-step. All four shot a two-day score of 145.

Hamilton's Zach Taylor placed seventh with a 151.

The Whitefish girls finished second overall, and Ella Shaw placed third with a 88-85—173. Her teammate, Megan Archibad, placed seventh wiith a 179. 

Custer County's Ashtyn Swigart, Billings Central's Perry Widdicombe, Polson's Cali Cannon, Sidney's Karly Volk, Dillon's Lindsey Huber, Hamilton's Aly Rose and Libby's Sammee Bradeen also earned all-state recognition.

For the boys, Frenchtown's Mason Pyron and Derek Wolff also finished in the top 15

At Hamilton Golf Club

Final

Boys

Team scores: Laurel 597, Hamilton 625, Stevensville 659, Frenchtown 660, Billings Central 662, Whitefish 674, Polson 685, Belgrade 719, Lewistown 732, Havre 770.

Individual: Ryggs Johnston, Libby, 67-70-137; Carson Hackmann, Laurel, 72-73-145; Cameron Kahle, Whitefish, 73-72-145; Matt Hobbs 74-71-145; Tristan Hanson, Hamilton, 75-70-145; Nick Pasquarello, Laurel, 71-79-150; Zach Taylor, Hamilton, 71-80-151; Cash Golden, Laurel, 74-77-151; Paul O’Neil, Laurel, 72-80-152; Derek Wolff, Frenchtown, 76-78-154; Zel Frost, Stevensville, 78-80-158; Luke Schlimgen, Corvallis, 76-83-159; Kade Ewalt, Laurel, 80-79-159; Mason Pyron, Frenchtown, 84-76-160; Ryan Adolph, Billings Central, 80-81-161; Ivan Yazvac, Stevensville, 83-78-161.

Conor Walsh, Billings Central, 80-82-162; Bryce Reed, Hamilton, 82-80-162; Caleb Myers, Lewistown, 84-78-162; Gator Yelenich, Butte Central, 83-80-163; Tanner Hanson, Hamilton, 81-86-167; Andrew Brozek, Whitefish, 80-88-168; Trey Kelley, Polson, 85-83-168; Fletcher Phillips, Billings Central, 88-80-168; Colby Emmons, Frenchtown, 88-81-169; Jayce Painter, Stevensville, 79-91-170; Jacob Watters, Stevensville, 88-82-170; Alex Adolph, Billings Central, 89-82-171; Braxton Butler, Belgrade, 89-83-172; Brock Blake, Belgrade, 87-86-173; Anthony Madison, Belgrade, 87-86-173.

Calvin Nowlen, Polson, 89-86-175; Ben Duhame, Frenchtown, 89-88-177; Kyler Garsjo, Sidney, 93-84-177; Bryce Hayes, Livingston, 87-91-178; Tyler Langton, Columbia Falls, 87-91-178; Trenton Reinhart, Glendive, 88-90-178; Cody Brothwell, Columbia Falls, 89-89-178; Matt Hansen, Sidney, 90-89-179; Jayce Cripe, Whitefish, 92-87-179; Nic Martello, Frenchtown, 89-91-180; Josh Warp, Havre, 92-88-180; Ben Kolar, Lewistown, 89-92-181; Sean Craft, Stevensville, 90-91-181; Jake Henderson, Lewistown, 91-91-182; Mark Southam, Dillon, 92-90-182.

Grant Kahle, Whitefish, 93-89-182; Michael McKay, Coravllis, 94-88-182; Colby Devlin, Polson, 90-93-183; Jonathan Noteboom, Hardin, 93-91-184; Joel Christophersen, Miles City, 99-86-185; Tyler Strupp, Livingston, 98-94-192; Caleb Chamliss, Havre, 100-95-195; Mark Pollock, Browning, 102-93-195; Will Tipton, Billings Central, 100-95-195; Ryan Kemm, Whitefish, 101-96-197; Nolan Lotton, Havre, 105-94-199; Cole Johnson, Butte Central, 106-93-199; Jaxon Hinshaw, Belgrade, 100-101-201; Haden Warren, Miles City, 110-92-202; Clint Owens, Havre, 98-105, 205.

Tyrel Kjersem, Havre, 103-100-203; Brayce Clack, Hamilton, 102-102-204; Truman Pierce, Lewistown, 100-107-207; Jeff Devlin, Polson, 103-109-212; Nic Board, Belgrade, 107-116-223.

Girls

Team scores: Laurel 726, Whitefish 760, Corvallis 782, Sidney 811, Polson 822, Hamilton 826, Miles City 827, Havre 906, Lewistown 912.

Individual: Tricia Joyce, Butte Central, 75-77-152; Macee Greenwood, Corvallis, 78-79-157; Ella Shaw, Whitefish, 88-85-173; Hannah Adams, Laurel, 89-87-176; Haylee Adams, Laurel, 92-84-176; Ashtyn Swigart, Miles City, 86-93-179; Megan Archibald, Whitefish, 89-90-179; Keelee Storrud, Corvallis, 93-90-183; Elise Shovar, Laurel, 90-94-184; Perry Widdicombe, Billings Central, 91-93-184; Cali Cannon, Polson, 92-94-186; Karly Volk, Sidney, 95-91-186; Lindsey Huber, Dillon, 96-91-187; Aly Rose, Hamilton, 94-94-188; Sammee Bradeen, Libby, 95-93-188.

Jasi Oyler, Stevensville, 94-95-189; Keli Hodges, Laurel, 96-94-190; Sarah Kranjai, Sidney, 97-96-193; Teagan Fee, Havre, 94-101-195; Kendal Reed, Whitefish, 100-98-198; Jill Sure Chief, Browning, 99-102-201; Kylee Pittman, Dillon, 106-95-201; Romy Feldtman, Livingston, 105-97-202; Makayla LaBuff, Browning, 101-103-204; Madi Cooney, Laurel, 100-105-205; Sophia Doyle, Hamilton, 99-107-206; Kelci Martin, Hamilton, 105-102-207; Sydney Croucher, Libby, 101-107-208; Allie Snyder, Libby, 102-106-208; Amanda Farley, Polson, 104-104-208.

Grace Bintz, Frenchtown, 107-102-209; Annie Nixon, Whitefish, 101-109-210; Anne Marie Hagemeister, Miles City, 103-107-210; Chaney LaPlante, Miles City, 106-104-210; Kinzee Peterson, Havre, 102-109-211; Esme Yarbrough, Polson, 107-104-211; Emma Torgerson, Sidney, 111-102-213; Kennedy Hader, Livingston, 110-106-216; Jacy Ayers, Lewistown, 100-117-217; Signee Storrud, Corvallis, 103-115-218; Adriana Beyerle, Sidney, 109-110-219; Danaiya Polk, Browning, 111-109-220; M’Kenzie Whiteman, Hardin, 106-116-222; Ellie Thiel, Polson, 109-113-222; Jocelyn Staples, Havre, 111-111-222; Anna Elm, Whitefish, 110-113-223.

Allison Denton, Lewistown, 122-101-223; Sami Knapp, Corvallis, 112-112-224; Katelyne Druyvestein, Polson, 116-108-224; Hayley Bender, Hamilton, 107-118-225; Amber Taylor, Miles City, 111-117-228; Madyson Running Crane, Ronan, 112-116-228; Josie Friesen, Lewistown, 122-108-230; Catherine Gustine, Frenchtown, 116-117-233; Haile Spear, Hamilton, 112-123-235; Kalie Patterson, Corvallis, 116-120-236; Macao Jackson, Ronan, 124-113-237; Allie Wagner, Miles City, 123-119-242; Kylee Neimeyer, Ronan, 129-114-243; Jessi Bolton, Lewistown, 123-124-247; Elizabeth, Opalka, Columbia Falls, 121-129-250.

Morgan Davis, Lewistown, 118-134-252; Sophia Flikkema, Belgrade, 126-128-254; Lanie Morgan, Belgrade, 136-119, 255; Ashlan Mortensen, Livingston, 132-134-266; Sophia Kirkpatrick, Havre, 134-144-278