Niehues places eighth in 4A state tournament

SALINA — Shooting a season-best score of 76 on day two, Concordia High School freshman Mya Niehues placed eighth in the Class 4A girls' state golf tournament that finished up Tuesday at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.
Niehues shot an 84 on the opening day of the tournament to make the cut to the second day.
The top six teams and the top 18 players not on one of those teams advanced to day two.
Starting on the back nine on Tuesday, Niehues was four over par on her first two holes.
With five straight pars and then birdies on her eighth and ninth holes, Niehues played the final seven holes of her first nine two-par to post a 37.
Niehues shot a 39 on her second nine to finish with a 76. That gave her a two-day total of 160.
"For day two, we went in knowing that she could post a low number, but as fate would have it, she started off with a triple again. However, just like day one, she didn't let a few bad shots phase her, and by the end of the front nine, we knew that her round could be special," Concordia coach Gene Rundus said.
The 76 by Niehues was the lowest score ever shot by a Concordia golfer at the state tournament.
"It was satisfying to see all of Mya's hard work pay off. A top 10 is a remarkable accomplishment, but I know she will be busy working on her game this offseason so she can come back even stronger next year," Rundus said.
Niehues shot a 47 on her front nine on Monday, but battled back with a 37 on the second nine to make the cut.
"She started off pretty rough, with a triple on one and an unplayable lie on two, but Mya got her wheels under her just before the turn. She put together a nice string of pars and came in with an impressive 37," Rundus said. "Even when things weren't going well, she kept her focus and just kept playing shot to shot and hole to hole. I was impressed with how well she kept her emotions in check. Very mature for her age."
Wamego sophomore Addison Douglass defended her individual state title by shooting 73-73 for a 146.
Averi Blasi, a senior from Pratt, finished second with a 152.
Taryn Viramontes, Wellington, shot 153 to finish third.
Topeka Hayden won the team title with a 661. Wamego was second with a 698 and Wellington was third with a 705.

Class 4A State
at Salina Municipal
Team Scores
Topeka Hayden 661, Wamego 698, Wellington 705, Winfield 711, Pratt 726, Eudora 738.
Individual Medalists
1. Douglass, Wamego, 146; 2 Blasi, Pratt, 152; 3. Viramontes, Wellington, 153; 4. Vogt, Eudora, 157; 5. Wright, Baldwin, 158; 6. Kuhn, McPherson, 158; 7. Sympson, Winfield, 159; 8. Niehues, Concordia, 160; 9. Glotzbach, Topeka Hayden, 161; 10. Myers, Bishop Miege, 161; 11. Springer, Wamego, 162; 12. Buessing, Santa Fe Trail, 163; 13. Littell, Winfield, 163; 14. Reynoldson, Topeka Hayden, 164. 15. Lorgon, Topeka Hayden, 165; 16. Grunter, Topeka Hayden, 165; 17. Amerin, Hugoton, 172; 18. tie- Floersch, Clay Center, and Cooper, Buhler, 173; 20. Anschutz, Santa Fe Trail, 174.