Bad finish costs Whisman the lead

LAS VEGAS - Galena High School's Travis Whisman was in control until the last hole.

The senior was in position to lead after the first day of the NIAA/U.S. Bank 4A State Golf Championships on Wednesday at Dragon Ridge Golf Course, but a bad finish on the final hole dropped him into a tie for sixth at 77.

Whisman was leading before shooting an 11 on the par-5 18th hole. Even if he'd shot only par on the hole, he would have led by two strokes when the day was over. Instead, that honor went to Durango's Mitch Carlson, who finished with a 73.

Durango actually holds the top two spots, as Chris Loughney shot a 74 to finish second. The second and final round begins at 7 a.m. today.

Carson High's John Chirila is tied with four others for seventh place at 78. The only other Senator at the tournament, Toby Steele, is tied for 43rd place with an 87.

Galena sits in fifth place in the team standings with a 415, while Elko is the top Northern Region team in the hunt with a 407, good for fourth. Durango leads the team standings at 387, followed by Green Valley (400) and Bonanza (401).

Galena's Bryson Young, who made the cut for the next stage of the U.S. Open qualifier earlier this week, is tied for seventh along with Chirila.

Other Galena finishers included Pat Flynn (90, 50th) and Vann Adams (91, 52nd).