By Matt Phelps
The Mercer Island girls golf team came into last week needing three wins in its final three matches to earn the 3A KingCo title. Being in that position was almost unthinkable during the preseason, as the Islanders struggled to keep up with opponents’ scores.
Despite a loss to Interlake 238-258 on May 2 and a loss to Issaquah 230-235 Thursday, Mercer Island may be building to a peak in scoring for the postseason.
“I don’t know what happened in the preseason,” said Mercer Island girls golf head coach Don Papasedero. “We just didn’t play well. I don’t know if I have an answer. But we have started to shoot in the 40s.”
Despite the five-stroke loss against Issaquah, the Islanders had three players shoot in the 40s.
“We still have not achieved our potential,” said Papasedero. “But they are working towards it.”
Shawn Kelly continues to lead the squad as she finished with a six-over-par 42. Kelly was just three strokes off the Eagles’ Brittany Tallman who leads the league in average for the year.
“I think that a lot of us have just had off days,” said Kelly. “Golf is a hard sport and we have a lot of first-time high school golfers on this team.”
Islander Lindsay Buchanan shot a 44 on the day, while Mackenzie Holdren shot a 47.
Whitney Tomita scored a 52, while Rachel Smith shot a 50 to round the top five for the Islanders.
The Islanders struggled against Interlake, losing by 20. Kelly shot the best of the Islanders with an 11-over-par 47. Islander Tracey Tomlinson finished the day with a 51.
Despite missing out on the leaguetitle, the Islanders still have a shot individually to accomplish some big things — like making it deep into the postseason.
“We played right with the potential 4A champs and I think we can still make a run at a high number to state,” said Papasedero.
The Islanders will start that journey Monday when they play in the medalist tournament.
This season will be memorable for three of the team’s members, not for scores or titles but because they got to be captains during their senior year.
“There is a lot to do every day,” said Islander girls golf captain Ashley Higgins. “It makes me feel like I have accomplished something.”
The captains have tried to make the big influx of younger girls feel right at home.
“I think with there being three of us we have balanced out,” said Islander captain Jennifer Morrison. “We just want to make everyone feel comfortable. When the captains aren’t the best players I think it gives the younger girls hope that there is something to shoot for.”
The golf team this year has become about the future as well as the present. The captains have taken it upon themselves to help prepare the younger players before they graduate.
“We have a lot of younger girls so we are still pulling our game together as a team,” said Islander captain Whitney Tomita. “I have really enjoyed the responsibility and I think the younger girls have known that they can come talk to me or any of the captains.”
The Islanders played their final regular season meet Monday against Newport (after Reporter deadline).
