Wilson leads Lions to second place

? When the first foursome finished its round Monday at the Sunflower League girls golf championships, the top two spots already were claimed.

It really wasn’t even close.

Lawrence High’s Sydney Wilson and Olathe East’s Jaci Hiatt, among the first finishers, were head and shoulders above the competition at Meadowbrook Country Club. Wilson’s 18-hole total of 81 was second to Hiatt’s 79, but the next closest finisher — Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Katelyn Stone — was six strokes back.

From there, it was a logjam, making Hiatt’s and Wilson’s performances all the more impressive.

“Her 81 today proves to her that she can play with the top girls in the state,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said.

Lawrence High finished second with 373 strokes. Olathe East won the league title with 354.

Free State, led by sophomore Ashley Robinson’s 110, finished eighth with 450 strokes.

“Olathe East was going to be tough to beat,” Lewis said. “I thought if we had four scores out of six that were relatively low, we’d be top two or three.”

Free State coach Craig Hershiser wasn’t so ambitious, but this season has been one for personal advancement and achievement for the Firebirds. That in mind, Hershiser was pleased.

“All the kids have a little disappointment in their rounds,” Hershiser said. “But we’ve been a work in progress, and we’re continuing to move forward.”

While the Firebirds are rebuilding, LHS seems locked and loaded. Three Lions broke 100, including Wilson, Jamie Shmalberg (92) and Whitney Juneau (97).

Wilson and Shmalberg, both sophomores, earned all-league honors for the second straight year. Shmalberg finished eighth Monday, after taking fourth a year ago. Wilson placed third last year.

“As sophomores this year, I expect things out of both them,” Lewis said. “Jamie is just starting to get comfortable with her golf game, and it’s at the right time.

“Sydney’s just now finishing up volleyball this season, so she’s really starting to focus on her game.”

Again, it’s at the right time. After a few tuneup rounds this week, including Thursday’s Lawrence Invitational at Lawrence Country Club, both city squads will tackle Class 6A regional play. The Lions will play host to their regional at Eagle Bend next Tuesday, while Free State travels to Lake Shawnee for its regional.

Sunflower League Championships

At Meadowbrook Country Club

Team Scores

1. Olathe East 354; 2. Lawrence 373; 3. Shawnee Mission Northwest 379; 4. Olathe Northwest 395; 5. Shawnee Mission East 397; 6. Shawnee Mission South 405; 7. Olathe South 444; 8. Free State 450; 9. Olathe North 451; 10. Shawnee Mission West 495; 11. Leavenworth (incomplete team).

Individual medalists

1. Jaci Hiatt, Olathe East, 79; 2. Sydney Wilson, Lawrence, 81; 3. Katelyn Stone, SM Northwest, 87; 4. Stephanie Gerber, SM Northwest, 88; 5. Karrah Clay, Olathe East, 89; 6. Krista Nelson, Olathe East, 90; 7. Melissa Lisenbee, Leavenworth, 91; 8. Jamie Shmalberg, Lawrence, 92; 9. Nicole Stark, Olathe Northwest, 94; 10. Brooke Jandl, SM East, 94.

Other city finishers

Whitney Juneau, Lawrence, 97; Susan Lawhorn, Lawrence, 103; Kelly Jacob, Lawrence, 108; Ashley Robinson, Free State, 110; Diane Riat, Lawrence, 111; Liz Brandt, Free State, 111; Krista Kearns, Free State, 111; Erinn Faulconer, Free State, 118.