photo by: John Young

Free State High senior Anne Goebel hits onto the green on the 15th hole at Eagle Bend golf course on Wednesday morning.

Familiarity played a big factor on Wednesday, as a pair of Free State girls golfers were able to break 100 at the Lawrence Invitational. The event also doubled as the second leg of the Sunflower League tournament.

Senior Anne Goebel and junior Tori Hoopingarner shot 90 and 92, respectively, paving the way for the Firebirds at Eagle Bend Golf Course. Goebel’s 90 mark was good enough to finish tied for 32nd.

However, Goebel believes she missed a chance to lower her score even more.

“I did OK, I could have done better,” said Goebel, who shot a 44 on the front nine. “Definitely my putting was my weakest point. For the most part, my drives and approach shots were good. I just messed it up at the end.”

Goebel’s successful drives and approach shots helped her notch the lowest score among Free State golfers for the second tournament this season.

Goebel, who shot a 99 at Lake Quivira in the first leg of the league tournament, ranks 12th in the league with a total of 189. Hoopingarner leads the Firebirds in 10th place with a two-round score of 188 after carding a 96 in the first leg.

This time around, Hoopingarner ended up finishing two strokes behind her teammate for a 40th-place finish. Still, she posted her best score, topping her previous season-best of 96 by four strokes.

Hoopingarner made up for her struggles with the driver by her success in the short game. Afterward, she credited her successful approach to her knowledge of how the course works.

“Since we play this every Wednesday, I knew what to expect,” Hoopingarner. “I knew what club to hit for every hole. I shot the best I have ever done, so I’m pretty happy.”

Senior Macie Reeb carded a 105 to tie for 76th, while senior Claire Yackley tied for 108th with a 124, helping the Firebirds to 15th in the team standings Wednesday.

Personal-best rounds lead the Lions

All three Lawrence High golfers benefited from familiarity with the course as well, setting new personal lows. LHS junior Sarah Ramaley led the way with a score of 102 to tie for 67th in her first 18-hole round of her career.

photo by: John Young

Lawrence High junior Sarah Ramaley watches the ball drop on the 15th hole at Eagle Bend golf course on Wednesday morning.

Emily Johnson also made the jump to the varsity level and finished tied for 101st with a score of 118.

“I’m super happy with their performance,” LHS coach Jennifer Schmitt said. “Making that jump from JV to the varsity level and how well they handled it today, I’m proud of them. To think they all just started playing golf for the first time last year and to shoot around a 100 in one year is pretty good.”

Meanwhile, sophomore Beatrice Lopez tied for 80th with a mark of 107, carding a 50 in her final nine holes. Lopez shot a 121 in the first leg of the league tournament as the lone Lions attendee, ranking 26th in the individual league standings after two rounds.

“It was definitely an improvement from last time,” Lopez said. “I got into a rhythm towards the end. I started moving faster and playing better.”

Lawrence Invitational

Wednesday at Eagle Bend Golf Course

Team results: Topeka-Washburn Rural 315, Shawnee Mission East 322, Blue Valley West 342, Manhattan 344, St. James Academy 346, Olathe NW 352, Mill Valley 353, Saint Thomas Aquinas 354, Blue Valley 367, Blue Valley North 385, Blue Valley NW 388, Olathe East 407, Olathe North 410, Free State 411, Olathe South 412, Blue Valley SW 416, SM NW 418, SM South 462, Leavenworth 509, SM North 523.

Medalists: 1. Abby Glynn, WR, 75; 2. Megan Lucas, WR, 76; 3. Haley Bell, SME, 77; 4. Mia Tovkach, GE, 77; 5. Caroline Klemp, SJA, 78; 6. Macie Myers, MAN, 78; 7. Chessa McCalla, WR, 79; 8. Teagan Noblit, SME, 79; 9. Catie Ducharme, BVW, 80; 10. Molly Saporito, BVW, 89.

FSHS results: 32. Anne Goebel, 90; 40. Tori Hoopingarner, 92; 76. Macie Reeb, 105; 108. Claire Yackley, 124.

LHS results: 67. Sarah Ramaley, 102; 80. Beatrice Lopez, 107; 101. Emily Johnson, 118.