Sponenburgh is 4A golf state champion

Mark Madia, Herlad Sports Editor
Posted 9/18/18

Evanston golfer wins individual state championship

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Sponenburgh is 4A golf state champion

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EVANSTON — Kyra Sponenburgh closed out her senior season of fall golf in style. The two-time all-state selection is the best of the best for the 2018 golf season in Class 4A girls’ golf, winning individual medalist honors at the state tournament in Cheyenne on the Airport Golf Course.

Her coach knew it would be difficult for Evanston to contend for a conference championship, let alone a team state title, as Sponenburgh was joined by three freshman girls with little golf experience for the fall campaign. Coach Carroll had said all along that his senior leader had the talent and determination to win individual honors and that’s just what Sponenburgh did, but it wasn’t easy and there was some drama involved. 

Sponenburgh was two shots back of the leader after Friday’s first round of 18 holes. On Saturday, she rallied to tie for the lead, but on one of the last holes, she was assessed  a two-stroke penalty.

“Kyra came up for an approach shot and hit a “Titleist 3” golf ball, which she was playing,” coach Jerry Carroll told the Herald. 

“As she walked a bit further, there was another Titleist 3, which had her markings on it and she realized she had hit the wrong ball and received the two-stroke penalty. It rattled her for a bit, but she persevered and calmly parred the last hole. Nicole Klungness of Kelly Walsh, the girl Kyra was vying for the title with, ended with a triple-bogey and the two girls were tied,” Carroll continued.

Both Sponenburgh and Klungness finished at 163 for the 36-hole state tourney, necessitating a playoff.

“That was one of the most exciting moments I’ve had as a high school golf coach,” Carroll shared.

“Kyra went right out and parred the first hole in the playoff and won the individual state title outright.”

Carroll had high praise for Sponenburgh, noting not only her dedication to golf, but the fact that she’s involved in early morning practices as a member of the EHS Classics and also maintains an outstanding GPA.

“She is a role model for what a student-athlete can be,” Carroll affirmed.

Two of the freshman girls, Aryana Little and Kesley Hunting, did not participate on Friday due to flu symptoms, but did come back to play on Saturday. Freshman teammate Ja’Lynn Reichenberg ended with a 291 score for the two-day state tournament.

The guys’ team had high hopes entering the state tournament. They had won their first three outings on the fall golf schedule and had placed third and second in two subsequent tournaments.

The Red Devil boys’ team placed fourth at state, behind 2018 champion Kelly Walsh and Cheyenne East and Cheyenne Central in the runner-up and third-place slots.

“We strive for a top-three finish every year with hopes of winning it all,” Carroll shared.

“We hadn’t seen Kelly Walsh this season, but we knew they were a very talented team.”

In the tune-up outing in Laramie, a week prior to the state tourney, Evanston placed second to Cheyenne East and in front of the rest of the field, which included Cheyenne Central.

“That’s their home course,” Carroll said of Central, “and it became too much of an advantage to overcome. Our guys had a great season even though we didn’t place as well as we would have liked to.”

Senior Brady Hurd finished tied for 14th with a 163 and sophomore Braxton Lind ended tied for 16th, one stroke back at 164. Senior Dom D’Anzi placed 20th with a 171, with senior Mason Smith ending tied for 27th with a 182 score. Junior Mason Ellingford was one shot back at 183 and tied for 29th place.

Most of, if not all, the team members including seniors will be eligible to compete in 2019 spring season of golf, although the fall season is when champions are crowned.

The teams will have their awards dinner at the Purple Sage Golf Club and Gateway Grill on Tuesday, Sept. 25.