Free State’s Brahler ninth at league meet

? Free State senior golfer Grace Brahler shot a 79 on Monday to place fifth individually at the Shawnee Mission South Invite.

Lawrence High’s Kathryn Lunte placed 14th individually, shooting a 92, to pace the Lions.

Lawrence High placed sixth as a team with a 406, while Free State finished seventh at 412. Shawnee Mission East won with a 309.

Monday’s SM South Invite counted toward the second leg of the Sunflower League Tournament. Lawrence High ended up sixth at league with an 849, while Free State finished seventh at 855.

Individually, Brahler placed ninth in the league meet with rounds of 95 and Monday’s 79 for a 174 total.

“She’s certainly hitting her stride here in last couple of weeks,” Free State coach Craig Hershiser said of Brahler. “I think her ball striking is more consistent and her putting is really coming around. And she’s avoiding trouble. She’s staying away from penalty strokes. Right now, all facets of her game are at a pretty high level.”

Free State will travel to St. Andrews Golf Course in Overland Park for the Olathe East Invitational on Wednesday.