4A girls golf: Erie sweeps team and individual girls golf state titles

THORNTON – Don’t look now, but the Erie Tigers are becoming a dynasty on the golf course.

The Tigers won their second-consecutive Class 4A girls golf state championship Wednesday and for the second year in a row, they also won the individual title.

However, this time it was junior Logan Hale leading the way – edging out teammate Hadley Ashton for the individual title at the Thorncreek Golf Course.

Hale ran away with the title with a two-day score of 7-under-par 137 capped with a final-round score of 66.

“In the past I felt I finished short,” the junior said. “I’m happy and satisfied with the work I put in. I was finally able to show people what I am capable of.”

Ashton, who claimed the 4A crown as a freshman last year, shot a 145 over the two days to finish second. Team-wise, the Tigers finished with a two-day score of 441, finishing 49 strokes ahead of state runner-up Durango.

“It is awesome to win it again,” Erie coach Brandon Bird said. “I knew we had a chance at a special team, but it has materialized better than I ever imagined.”

Bird had simple advice for his players throughout the tournament, be confident and relax and they will succeed. His team proved that today.

“There can be distractions on the course,” the coach said. “We tell them to play their game, be confident and ignore the distractions. Whether it is the state championship or the scoreboard, just play the game. Because they are good enough and they proved that today.”

Hale definitely did. She shot 4-under par on her final five holes and had a two-stroke eagle on the 15th hole.

“I didn’t expect to play this well,” Hale said. “I was hitting shots that I usually don’t hit.”

Sophomore Taylor Hale tied for ninth place with a 159, while junior Hollyn Drennen shot a 199 to round out the scoring for the Tigers. 

“This is a dream team,” Logan Hale said. “I’m so happy to be here with this team. It is such a great feeling that I was able to play with some of my best friends. It’s such a great feeling.”

Erie has a chance to defend its title next year with all of their finishers expecting to return.

“We are at the right place at the right time, with golfers that are top notch.” Bird said. “These girls aren’t just talented, they are grinders. They work so hard; I am just happy to be their coach.”

In the team standings, Discovery Canyon (491) finished third while Mullen (501) was fourth and Holy Family (509) took fifth. 

Rounding out the top-five on the individual leaderboard were Mullen’s Kaitlin Zingler, Cheyenne Mountain’s Ava Schroeder, and Durango’s Zayda Mestas.