Girls' Golf: Douglas sets record in win

The Douglas High girls' golf team keeps finding ways to one-up itself.

While extending its league tournament win streak to 11 (12 in Northern Nevada), Douglas set the school, region and state records for lowest team score in the four-player format at Wolf Run Tuesday afternoon.

Douglas carded a 319 to take the win, finishing 42 strokes ahead of second-place Manogue.

The previous state record is 380, set by Green Valley in 1998, which on the surface Douglas appeared to have broken easily.

However, Green Valley's score came when the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association was still taking the top five individual scores from each team, instead of the top four as is being done this year.

Under the new four-player format instituted this season, Douglas' score set the standard statewide.

Douglas sophomore Bethany Wurster took individual medalist honors marking her third tournament win in four tries this season, with a 70.

Her score bumped her into a tie for the third all-time lowest in the state with Durango's Wendy Welch (2001). Bishop Gorman's In-Bee Park holds the state record at 65.

"Bethany finished three-under-par the last four holes," Douglas coach Steve Gustafson said. "I could hear cheers from the gallery three holes away. I knew she finished strong."

Senior Shelby Louie was not far behind, taking third with a 79.

"Shelby played really well," Gustafson said. "She shot 40 on the front and 39 on the back."

Heather Henderson shot an 84 to take sixth overall and Michele Nikkels shot an 86 to take eighth while Annika Crowe shot a 120 for Douglas.

"Heather and Michele both had great rounds," Gustafson said. "They made a lot of putts, kept the ball in the short stuff and did everything they needed to do. Michele has wanted to get into the mid-80s all season and she finally did it."

Douglas has two league matches remaining before regionals. They get to host their first tournament in more than a year next week.

"The girls are very excited about next week," Gustafson said. "They are determined to beat today's score."

Manogue took second in the tournament at 361, Carson was third at 382 and Damonte Ranch, Galena, South Tahoe, Fallon and Wooster rounded out the standings in order.

Wurster and Louie are first and second in the overall season standings while Henderson is seventh and Nikkels is ninth.