Fayetteville took a streak of seven consecutive girls golf state championships to the Class 7A State Tournament Monday.
But after the opening round of this year’s event, being held at the Conway Country Club, an eighth-straight title might be a difficult chore for the Lady Bulldogs.
Conway junior Summar Roachell carded a two-over par 72 and teammates Alexis McDaniel and Logan Tollivar followed with scores of 83 and 89, respectively, as the host Lady Wampus Cats took a commanding first-day lead with a team score of 244. Fayetteville followed in second place, but sits 19 strokes behind after shooting a 263.
Sophomore Anna Grace Lavy led the Lady Bulldogs with a 77, followed with McKenzie Kley with a 92 and Alison Head with a 94.
Class 7A Girls Golf State Championship
When: Today
Where: Conway Country Club
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Conway 244
Fayetteville 263
Bryant 274
Fort Smith Southside 285
Rogers High 292
Bentonville 296
Springdale Har-Ber 298
“We’re on the other side of where we’re used to being,” Fayetteville coach Scott Williams said. “(Conway) had two girls who shot below what they normally shoot and I’m not sure they can do that again. So it’s still doable. We just have to come back and turn some strokes around.”
Roachell, an Arkansas commit, was no surprise to post the top score of the day. But Conway coach Janet Taylor was even more pleased with McDaniel and Tollivar, two freshmen who outplayed other seniors on the Conway varsity roster.
“It what a good day for us,” Taylor said. “We had some players go below their averages, so overall it was a really good day. We had two freshman score for us and this is the first time we’ve had all five players break 100. So I’m really proud of all of our players.”
Fayetteville has won every girls golf championship in the state’s highest classification since 2004 and eight of the last nine overall. But winning this year will take a big turnaround today.
“I think we need to come out and improve some,” Williams said. “I think our girls learned some things about the course. The front nine is tight and it opens up on the back nine. So I definitely think we’re better than what we showed and we’ll see a difference.
“We can get it done. It’s just going to take some doing.”
Bryant is third with a 274, followed by Fort Smith Southside at 285. Rogers High is next in fifth after shooting an opening round 292.
Abbie Parker led the Mounties with a 92 while Morgan Conway carded a 96. Taylor Erickson rounded out the Rogers scoring with a 105.
Parker fired a 39 on the backside and Lady Mounties coach Brenda Alexander said that may give the team a lift heading into today’s final round. Parker earned All-Conference honors with her first-round score.
“I think they were disappointed in how they played,” Alexander said. “I think they will do better. If we can get some confidence early, that’s a big thing. Abbie shot a whole lot better on the back.”
The top six teams and top eight individuals from non-qualifying teams advance to today’s final 18-hole round.