District Champs!
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions, led by individual medalist Ayden Balliew, made the shots they needed in 36 holes of the District 10-2A golf tournament, holding off Haskell by two shots for the team title and claiming the district championship for the second time in three years.
The win qualifies the Lions for the Region II-2A tournament for the third year in a row and puts the team two rounds away from a return to the state tournament. The regional tourney will be played Monday-Tuesday, April 17-18, at Old Brickyard Golf Course at Ferris.
The district tournament was played Monday-Tuesday, April 3-4. The first round was played at Baird’s Shady Oaks Golf Course with the second at Sweetwater Country Club.
The Lions shot team scores of 340 and 336 for a 676 total, bettering Haskell by a stroke each day. The teams were the only ones to break 700 for the tournament.
“It didn’t come down to the last hole, but it did come down to the last scores being brought in,” Albany coach Tate Thompson said. “Everyone was really close in their groups on Monday. One of our guys got beat by 10 strokes Tuesday by the Haskell kid in his group, but the rest of our guys chipped away and beat Haskell’s by two or three strokes.”
Thompson said being practically even with the Indians from start to finish should benefit the Lions at the regional tournament.
“We felt some pressure from Haskell,” he said. “It was nice for these guys to experience that because they need to learn how to fight through that pressure. I think it was tougher (than winning in 2021), but our experience helped us in knowing how to handle that.”
Out of 10 individual rounds, Albany broke 90 nine times. The Lions had four players finish among the top 10 individuals.
“We’ve consistently been able to shoot in the 80s with everybody,” Thompson said. “We haven’t very many break 80, kind of that difference maker, but everybody keeps getting really close. Having scores all in the 80s is huge.”
Balliew became the second Albany player to win the medalist title in three years, shooting 80-81–161 to beat the trio of Haskell’s Colton Hopkins, Anson’s Christopher Valdez, and Hawley’s Francis Patanpatan by two strokes.
“Ayden had really good, consistent rounds both days,” Thompson said. “Toward the end, he had a few blunders that kept him from being able to stay in the 70s.”
Luke Marshall finished fifth at 84-82–166 with Lute Wheeler ninth at 89-85–174, and Houston Heatly 10th at 87-88–175. Huffman Heatly rounded out the lineup at 89-95–184.
Playing as medalists, Ty Richards shot 95-84–179 and Koy Cauble shot 110-101–211.
In the girls division, Myleigh Leveridge shot 125-135–260. The opening round was her best round of the season.
Thompson said the sophomore, who just took up golf last spring, has continued to develop her game.
“She’s learning what it takes to practice and get better,” he said. “Playing in tournaments is not what people think. There’s a lot of walking, keeping up with peoples’ scores, and focusing on your game all at the same time. She’s come a long way learning all that.”
DISTRICT 10-2A
BOYS
Team totals – 1. Albany, 340-336–676; 2. Haskell, 341-337–678; 3. Hawley, 352-361–713; 4. Hamlin, 404-380–784; 5. Stamford, 414-410–824; 6. Cisco, 420-409–829; 7, Anson. 418-423–841; 8. Hawley II, 515-NS–NS.
Individual leaders – 1. Ayden Balliew, Albany, 80-81–161; 2. (tie) Colton Hopkins, Haskell, 85-78–163; Christopher Valsez, Anson, 82-81–163; Francis Patanpatan, Hawley, 82-81–163; 5. Luke Marshall, Albany, 84-82–166; 6. Benedict Patanpatan, Hawley, 81-86–167; 7. Colt Moore, Haskell, 84-84–168; 8. Grady Vasquez, Haskell, 83-86–169; 9. Lute Wheeler. Albany, 89-85–174; 10. Houston Heatly, Albany, 87-88–175.
Albany team – Ayden Balliew, 80-81–161; Lute Wheeler, 89-85–174; Houston Heatly, 87-88–175; Luke Marshall, 84-82–166; Huffman Heatly, 89-95–184.
Albany medalists – Ty Richards, 95-84–179; Koy Cauble, 110-101–211.
GIRLS
Albany medalist – Myleigh Leveridge, 125-135–260.
