The Davis High girls golf team has been consistently at the top of the state over the past decade and it was looking like another top-three finish with four holes to go at the 6A state tournament at The Ridge May 11. That is, until the Darts made a charge at Corner Canyon and Lone Peak – who were up by four and two strokes, respectively – behind birdies on the 17th hole by junior Cheyenne Hansen and senior Victoria Castro and a 39 on the back nine by junior Quinn Shupe. Davis came out on top with the team title, winning by one stroke over the Chargers with a score of 648.

“Our girls battled so tough,” said Davis head coach Lori Salvo. “It was so much fun!”

“It was a roller coaster,” Castro said, noting that the Darts trailed Lone Peak by five strokes after the first round.  “We had expectations for the first day and didn’t quite meet them, but that is what fired us up for the second day. We trusted in our hard work during the season to come together for the state championship.”

“It was pretty stressful the past two days,” Hansen said. “We wanted the win so bad and had been working so hard for it. It felt surreal and there was also a lot of weight taken off my shoulders. We were all super excited about it.”

Corner Canyon head coach Alexis Gagon added, “I am so happy for Davis. They pulled it together right at the end.”

Hansen shot a 10-over-par 154 to place fourth, earning All-State honors, while Castro finished fifth with rounds of 80 and 77, also garnering All-State recognition. Junior Hannah Karras tied for 15th with an 85 and 82 with Shupe tying for 20th with an 86 and 84 rounding out Davis’ scorers. 

Also competing at state for the Darts were junior Bridgette Volk (39th place with a 97 and 89) and junior Halle Johnston (tied for 45th – 93, 99).

Hansen, daughter of Scott and Shelly Hansen of Kaysville, has been playing golf since she was 6 years old and has her sights set on college golf. She credits the sport for the life lessons she is learning on the course. “God has taught me to never give up, be mentally strong and to just stay in the moment,” she said. 

Castro, daughter of Victor and Alma Castro of Fruit Heights, was just a few months old in Hawaii when her father introduced her to golf. She has been playing in junior golf tournaments since she was 9 years old and has been a mainstay for Davis at state and region the past four years. “Golf has taught me to trust myself that I have put in the work and that it will all pay off,” she said, as she noted her intention to play college golf “where I will play my heart out.”

Also on the Darts 2021 squad were sophomores Abby Lewis, Sophie Seeley and Emma Smith; and freshman Mia Schimmer.

“It was not only the top six that put in the work, but the whole team,” Castro said. “Everyone showed up looking to improve and be the best version of themselves. So when it all came together, it was a very emotional win.”

5A State Tournament

At the 5A state tournament May 10-11 at The Oaks in Spanish Fork, Bountiful placed seventh as a team with senior Vanna Einerson – who shot an 80 and 74 – placing fifth to take All-State honors. “Vanna played really good,” said Bountiful head coach Kurt Bosen. 

Julia Springer tied for 32nd, Holland Staker came in 37th, Molly Murri tied for 43rd and Breea Patterson finished 54th for the Braves.

“We had a good tournament,” said Bosen. “Our team made the cut and got to play a second day and get some experience for our younger players.”

Farmington came in ninth as a team with Maura Hawkes tying for 16th and Aubi Eaves – who had a hole-in-one on the 12th hole the second day – tying for 19th for top-20 finishes.

Also competing for the Phoenix squad at state were Sydney Richards (tied for 30th,  Paige Olsen (tied for 48th), Tennessee Lawrence (56th) and Brooke Taylor (57th).

Viewmont’s Adri Summerhays shot an 18-over par the first day of state and failed to make the cut.

“I was proud that she made it to state,” said Viewmont head coach Nick O’Neal. “I feel like she had a pretty good round with the exception of a few holes. It’s no fun not to make it to the second day, but it was a great experience for her. It provided the feedback she will need to compete on a state level next year.”

Woods Cross’ Natalie Christensen had a round of +26 at state to end her season.

“I was really proud of Natalie to get herself qualified for the state tournament,” said Woods Cross head coach David Simon. “It didn’t go quite as well as we were hoping it would go for her. It was a difficult course to play and she just didn’t hit some of the great shots that she had been hitting in the tournaments leading up to state. Golf can just be that way sometimes.”