Normandy wins Class A state title, Pony boys third

Neither the Havre High girls or boys golf team will be able to call themselves state champions for 2003 following the Class A state golf tournament in Polson this past weekend. However, the Ponies are still bringing a state champion home as Blue Pony senior Trent Normandy captured first-place honors in the boys competition.

The Blue Pony boys team finished the two-day tournament with a team total of 635, which was good enough for third place. Billings Central ran away with this year's team title, finishing 32 strokes ahead of the Ponies and 29 strokes ahead of second-place Whitefish.

Havre was in second place after the first day of the tournament and actually scored better on day two. However, both Billings Central and Whitefish were too much for the Ponies on the second day, according to veteran HHS head coach Keith Evenson.

"We played better on the second day as a team," Evenson said. "But Whitefish just raced past us, and Billings Central was really consistent both days, so you just have to take your hat off to both of them.

"But we still brought home a trophy, and that was one of our goals for the boys team when the season started," Evenson added. "So I am real pleased with how the team finished."

As for Normandy's weekend, the senior capped off a brilliant four-year career at Havre High. In all, Normandy was part of two state championship teams and individually captured three divisional titles to go along with his 2003 state championship.

Normandy took the lead on the first day by firing a 2-under-par 70. But Saturday, he finished the day with a 4-over-par 76 while Ronan's William Foust rallied to shoot 73 to tie Normandy at the end of regulation.

Normandy responded by making birdie on the first hole of a sudden death playoff that gave him medalist honors in his final tournament of his high school career. Normandy is the first Havre High player to accomplish the feat since former standout Nick Obie did it in 2000.

"I am so happy for Trent," Evenson said. "He has been a huge part of the success of our program over the last four years and he has worked as hard as anybody I know on his game. For him to go out and do this in his senior year is a real thrill. He really deserves it."

The Ponies also got a huge boost this past weekend from the most unlikely of their five players. Freshman Matt Hedstrom rebounded from an opening day 84 to shoot a 6-over-par 78 on Saturday. Hedstrom's two-day total of 162 was identical to that of junior teammate Ben Erickson and was an important part of the Ponies' third-place finish.

"Matt was very proud of the way he played this weekend," Evenson said. "The 78 he shot on Saturday was a personal best for him and that is really impressive for him to do that under the pressure of his first state tournament. Just like at divisionals, he gave us a big lift again this weekend."

Rounding out the scoring for the Ponies were seniors Chazz Hurlburt with a two-day total of 165 and Tony Jensen at 185.

Once again the Havre high girls team continued to surprise Evenson. After capturing the Central A divisional title last weekend, the Blue Ponies were still heavy underdogs headed into the state tournament. However, the Ponies made a strong statement by finishing in sixth place with a two-day total of 845.

Colstrip surprised the field by capturing the state title with a total score of 716. Host Polson and Whitefish finished a distant second and third, respectively.

"Because of our youth and inexperience, I did not expect the girls to do as well as they did," Evenson said. "But they didn't put any pressure on themselves and they went into the tournament and played really well. I was really happy for all of them because they finished really well. I think the girls made a strong statement for the future."

Senior Brittany Job once again led the way for the HHS girls, just missing out on all-state honors. Job fired a first-round 97 and then improved by seven strokes on the second day.

Job was not alone in her success this weekend either. Freshman Ali Ward showed that the future for Havre High girls golf is in good hands, finishing with a two-day total of 203 - including a 101 on the second day. Senior Amanda Brock also finished a solid Blue Pony career with a 209, which included a strong 99 on the opening day of the tournament. Morgan Zimmer and senior Catlin Anderson rounded out the Blue Pony scoring with a 246 and 270, respectively.

"I thought all of the girls played really well under the circumstances," Evenson said. "Class A girls golf is very strong and our girls really showed up to play."

Evenson also said that, in his mind, the entire season has been a big success.

"This has been a great season for our golf program," Evenson said. "As coaches, these kids have just been a joy to be around and both of our teams did some tremendous things. I couldn't have asked for a better season."

Class A State Golf Tournament

BOYS

Team scores - Billings Central 603, Whitefish 632, Havre 635, Sidney 646, Colstrip 670, Dawson County 672, Ronan 674, Dillon 674, Anaconda 690, Livingston 696, Polson 704

Top 10

Trent Normandy, Havre 70-76-146; William Foust, Ronan 77-73-146 (Normandy won in playoff); Rob Fust, Billings Central 77-71-148; Jay Bond, Sidney 76-73-149; Eamon Clancy, Bil. Central 76-74-150; Chris Goldan, Belgrade 73-77-150; Tyler Holtet, Whitefish 77-74-151; Spencer Hughes, Whitefish 77-75-152; Riley Tolstedt, Bil. Central 78-74-152; Sean Clancy, Bil. Central 77-76-153

Team-by-team individual

Billings Central (308-295-603) - Rob Fust 77-71-148, Riley Tolstedt 78-74-152, Eamon Clancy 76-74-150, Sean Clancy 77-76-153, Geoff Bauwens 80-79-159.

Whitefish (328-304-632) - Tyler Holtet 77-74-151, Spencer Hughes 77-75-152, Matt Krause 87-77-164, Derek Denning 87-78-165, Zac Wooten 90-87-177.

Havre (323-312-635) - Trent Normandy 70-76-146, Matt Hedstrom 84-78-162, Ben Erickson 84-78-162, Chazz Hurlburt 85-80-165, Tony Jensen 89-96-185.

Sidney (328-318-646) - Jay Bond 76-73-149, Brady Torgerson 84-81-165, Eric Andersen 85-80-165, David Stennes 88-84-172, Kaleb Dasinger 83-97-180.

Colstrip (330-240-670) - Delbert Jankowski 83-82-165, Jordan Pierce 84-83-167, Peter Simonich 82-90-172, Anthony Jankowski 88-85-173, Ryan Stevens 81-94-175.

Glendive (340-332-672) - Paul Wilburn 81-75-156, Jason Kinsey 87-77-164, Nathan Kaufman 84-87-171, Matt Berg 88-93-181, Shane Germann 108-103-211

Ronan (340-334-674) - William Foust 77-73-146, Kris Lawson 86-88-174, Dan Mays 84-81-181, Jimmy Michael 97-92-189, Chris Starkel 99-93-192.

Dillon (345-329-674) - Jon Thomas 80-77-157, Jeff Allen 78-81-159, Tim Briggs 92-81-173, Marko Stanisich 95-90-185, Shane Cottom 95-91-186.

Anaconda (348-342-690) - Casey Ohman 80-79-159, Paul Johns 93-87-180, Allen Johnson 94-93-187, Zane Kenney 84-84-168, Trys Gates 91-92-183.

Livingston (348-348-696) - JJ Barney 85-79-164, Jay Hardesty 89-90-179, Kayle Ingram 89-96-185, Lance Wilson 91-100-191, Robert Lundren 85-83-168.

Polson (343-361-704) - Logan Kugler 77-84-161, Jason Newton 88-93-181, Kellan Mills 102-91-193, TJ Andrews 87-100-187, Jake Grebetz 91-93-184.

Columbia Falls - Craig Olson 88-82-170.

GIRLS

Team scores - Colstrip 369-347-716, Polson 376-363-739, Whitefish 378-374-752, Miles City 378-374-752, Billings Central 389-370-759, Havre 418-427-845, Anaconda 429-416-845, Hamilton 446-421-867, Livingston 434-438-872, Glendive 481-428-909, Lewistown 513-463-976, Bigfork 505-515-1020

Top 10

Rachel Warren, Billings Central 80-75-155; Emily Maag, Colstrip 83-79-162; Brittany Hedge, Miles City 89-81-170; Maresa Jensen, Whitefish 87-84-171; Sable Hamilton, Colstrip 86-86-172; Jen Orchard, Polson 88-86-174; Kelsey Phillips, Belgrade 86-91-177; Lisa Minnehan, Anaconda 89-88-177; Caitlin Flament, Lewistown 92-88-180; Kristine Samsel, Polson 97-87-183; Savanna Kroll, Colstrip 96-87-183.

Team-by-team individual

Colstrip (369-347-716) - Sable Hamilton 86-86-172, Emily Maag 83-79-162, Savanna Kroll 96-87-183, Ashley Kroll 104-96-200, Channing Olson 118-117-235

Polson (376-363-739) - Kristine Samsel 96-87-183, Jen Orchard 88-86-174, Sami Beaver 91-95-186, Cassie Dellwo 101-95-196, Stephanie Rowold 109-103-243

Whitefish (378-374-752) - Maresa Jenson 87-84-171, Alex Micklewright 102-85 -187, Amber Watson 91-95-186, Karina Stonecipher 98-97-195, Porsche Erekson 106-109-215

Miles City (378-374-752) - Brittany Hedge 89-81 - 170, Andrea Flotkoetter 91-98-189, Whitney Wankel 98-95 - 193, Carmen Fleming 100-100-200, Larae Hartman 111-107-218

Billings Central (389-370-759) - Rachel Warren 80-75-155, Rose Stepanek 98-92-190, Alisha Matchett 104-99-203, Terese Thelen 107-105-212, J. Rigg DQ-104

Havre (418-427-845) - Brittany Job 97-90-187, Amanda Brock 99-110-209, Ali Ward 101-102-203, Morgan Zimmer 121-125 - 246, Catlin Anderson 139-131 -270

Anaconda (429-416-845) - Lisa Minnehan 89-88-177, Amy Eubanks 108-107-215, Michelle Blaz 112-112-224, April Capp 120-114-234, Lindsay Laughlin 122-109-231

Hamilton (446-421-867) - Amanda Richie 112-119-230, Amy Nordeen 105-89-194, Kristen Farley 114-91-205, Chenelle Smith 115-123-238

Livingston (434-438-872) - Karrie Brack 98-104-202, Kynsi Berg 102-104-206, Nicole Myrstol 114-114-228, Tiffani Fehlmann 120-116-236, Kacie Quesenberry 120-123 -243

Glendive (481-428-909) - Amanda Hanzlik 109-98-207, Kali Christianson 115-101-216, Trisha Delange 131-112-243, Abby Mast 126-117-243, Lacie Stout 142-134-276

Lewistown (513-463-976) - Caitlin Flament 92-88-180, Anika Tuss 122-113-235, Steph Spika 127-129-256, Elyse Moreton W/D, K Ried DQ - 133

Bigfork (505-515-1,020) - Delbi Wilken 116-110-226, Rebecca Buffington 126-129-255, Chelsey Petek 127-127-254, Amy Khun 138-150-288, Carmen Fenn 136-149-285

Frenchtown - Clouser 120-117-237.

Libby - Rebo 99-98-197.

Ronan - Couture 95-100-195, Harris 113-120-233.