CAP-7 CONFERENCE GOLF
Wakefield senior Katie Yelle shot a 188 at this week's NCHSAA state 4-A golf championships, helping the Lady Wolverines to a sixth-place finish.
Wakefield golfers place sixth at states
In a week or two, the Wakefield girls golf team's sixth-place finish in the NCHSAA state 4-A golf championships will be remembered fondly, explained Lady Wolverines' coach Rick Riggleman.
But Tuesday night — following their second round — the Lady Wolverines weren't celebrating with their finish.
Call it the curse of expectations.
"If they had played well, I think they would have been happy with a sixth-place finish, but there is no way they were pleased because they didn't play as well as they would have liked," Riggleman said. "In a couple days they will realize what a great season they have had."
Represented by the trio of Katie Yelle, Stephanie Pribonic and Morgan Schultz, the Lady Wolverines combined to shoot a 519 during the two-day competition at the West Course at Foxfire Golf and Country Club in Foxfire Village.
Athens Drive repeated as state champions, overcoming an eight-stroke deficit on day one, and beating Charlotte Ardrey Kell 458-467.
The 17-point swing was impressive during the rainy second day of action as Riggleman explained the Jaguars just "shot lights out."
Athens Drive's Katherine Perry scored a two-round total of 144, clinching the individual state championship.
Pribonic paced Wakefield, shooting an 86 and 84, finishing with a 170. The sophomore tied T.C Roberson's Kristen Rhodin for 25th place.
Schultz (171) finished one stroke behind Pribonic, recording an 81 and 90.
Yelle, a senior, shot a 188, tallying an 87 and 91 in her two rounds.
Riggleman explained the Lady Wolverines need to keep their sixth-place finish in perspective as it is a three-place improvement on last year.
And to be honest, Wakefield wasn't expected to return to states this fall. But with the arrival of Schutlz — named the Cap-7 Player of the Year as a freshman — and Pribonic transferring in from North Raleigh Christian Academy, the Lady Wolverines surged to the top of the conference.
Then Wakefield shined at regionals, capturing second place.
"Last year we sort of sneaked in at regionals, and going in to this year, we really didn't know how good Stephanie and Morgan were," Riggleman reasoned. "But they have been as good as advertised."
With the completion of the season, Wakefield says goodbye to Yelle, who helped the Lady
Wolverines to conference titles in 2007 and 2009. She was the only player to compete on both championship squads.
Following the tournament, Riggleman emphasized with his team to be proud of what they achieved this season.
"I wanted them to not let the end the season damper what they have accomplished," he said. "Golf humbles everybody who has ever played the game at one time or another."
In other action, Leesville Road's Kaity Fuqua — the Pride's lone representative — finished with two-round total of 188, shooting 93 and 95.
Team standings
1 Raleigh Athens Drive 234, 224 — 458
2 Charlotte Ardrey Kell 226, 241 — 467
3 Jamestown Ragsdale 254, 251 — 505
4 Pfafftown Ronald Reagan 252, 259 — 511
4 Greensboro Grimsley 252, 259 — 511
6 Raleigh Wakefield 254, 265 — 519
7 Cary Green Hope 256, 269 — 525
8 Charlotte Myers Park 261, 274 — 535
9 Asheville TC Roberson 267, 276 — 543
10 Fayetteville Terry Sanford 267, 283 — 550
