Donovan places second at state

EMPORIA  — Concordia High School senior Abby Donovan capped off a decorated high school golf career by placing second in the Class 4A state tournament by just one stroke.
Matching the best finish ever in a state tournament, Donovan posted a two-day score of 159 at Emporia Municipal Golf Course.
Payton Ginter, a senior from Wellington High School, shot a 158 to win the tournament. Winfield senior Elly Bertholf was third with a 160.
Concordia, which qualified for state for a third consecutive year, turned in scores of 422 and 420 on Monday and Tuesday for a total of 842 and finished ninth.
Winfield won the team title with a 738. Wamego was second with a 744 and Andale was third with a 749.
Donovan, who became the third four-time state placer in Concordia girls' golf history, shot a 79 on Monday and had a three stroke lead over Ginter, who carded an 82.
Bertholf was sitting in third place with an 84.
The lead evaporated for Donovan over the first nine holes on Tuesday. She carded a 42.
Ginter shot even par 35 on her first nine holes to move into first place, and Bertholf shot 36 and was in second.
Donovan played her final nine holes in three-over-par 38 to shoot 80 and finish at 159.
Ginter turned in a 41 to finish with a 76 and one stroke ahead of Donovan.
“She (Donovan) handled it with grace, she really did,” Concordia coach Steve Nelson said. “She didn't give it away, she played well. The girls who won it, won it. She shot a 76 on a miserable day.”
Bertholf turned in a 40 on her back nine to also shoot 76 and finish one stroke behind Donovan.
Donovan became the third player in Concordia girls' golf history to be a four time state placer. She finished third last year, tied for 19th place as a sophomore and tied for 17th as a freshman.
“She should be very proud of her four-year career,” Nelson said.
Concordia senior Haley Lewis, after carding a 110 on Monday, turned in a 96 on Tuesday to finish at 206.
“She was so excited,” Nelson said of Lewis shooting her best score at state.
Junior Bethany Trost shot 112-129 for a 241.
McKenzie Widen, a junior, had rounds of 121-122 to finish at 243.
Senior Shea Trecek shot 132-122 for a 254.

Class 4A State
at Emporia Municipal
Team Scores
Winfield 738, Wamego 744, Andale 749, Buhler 751, Anderson County 778, Chanute 785, Topeka Hayden 807, Towanda-Circle 815, Concordia 842.
Top 10 Individuals
1. Ginter, Wellington, 158; 2. Donovan, Concordia, 159; 3. Bertholf, Winfield, 160; 4. Albers, Andale, 167; 5. Specht, Buhler, 172; 6. Chipman, Fort Scott, 174; 7. Kustanborter, Chanute, 177; 8. McKee, Wamego, 181; 9. Pierson, Wamego, 181; 10. Brusven, Tonganoxie, 182.