Mules sweep matches, win league golf title

Mules win two matches

Submitted by WHS Golf Coach Nick Vavoudis

Medalist Senior Zach Johnston shot 41 April 30 at Mint Valley Golf Course, Longview, and led the Mules intra-conference record in Southwest 2B conference to 10-1.

Tyler St. Onge and Logan LaBerge tied for second at 45 while Elijah Doiron completed the four-man best score with a 52. Cole Shipman shot a 46 for home team Three Rivers Christian while Ben Comfort 45 and Josh Cordek 46 led the ever improving Life Christian Academy.

The course was a lot faster than the wet course where the Mules scored 163 two weeks ago. We struck the ball better than ever; however, the Mules had trouble adjusting their chipping on these dry, wind blown greens. The ball wasn't checking up, and we had way too many three putts until we adjusted to the faster than usual greens. Hopefully we'll be ready for the May 1 match at the same venue with league leader Ilwaco, Adna and of course the home team TRC.

The winner between the Mules and The Fishermen, led by two time State Champion Blake Kukula, is a virtual lock on the league championship. It's sizing to be a great match where the number four and five players should determine who wins, very exciting.

The Wahkiakum Mules Golf Team shot 175, Ilwaco 200, Kalama 224, Three Rivers Christian 234 and Adna 239 in a five-team match on May 1 at Mint Valley, home venue for Three Rivers.

The big story was that Mule teammates Tyler St. Onge and Logan LaBerge tied for first place, shooting 39, and beating the third place finisher, Ilwaco's two-time state champion Blake Kukula, who shot a rare high score of 43. Mule Zach Johnston was fourth with a 46. Kalama's Todd Teleck was fifth with a 47, and TRC's Cole Shipman tied Ilwaco's Ethan Knopski for sixth with a 48. Other Mule scores were Joseph Savelio 51, Elijah Doiron 52 and William Guitron 53.

The league title showdown between undefeated first place Ilwaco and the second place, 10-1, Wahkiakum Mules, reigning district champions, left the Mules in the driver's seat for this year's league championship with one match left on the schedule (see results below).

The greens at Mint Valley were exceptionally fast; three and four putts were a common occurrence. Even Blake Kukula had a three putt and struggled to get the ball close enough to make pars on his chip shots from around the greens, which for him is very unusual. He really is a great two-time state champion, but this day belonged to the Mules St.Onge, a junior, and LaBerge, a sophomore.

The Mules are now 14-1 in District 4 league play. I hope they picked up some confidence and momentum from this win in preparation for the district championship and state qualifier at Tumwater Valley Golf Course on May 13 and 14.

The Mule golf team locked up the league championship Tuesday, shooting 164 and beating Three Rivers Christian 217 and Northwest Christian 243 at Skyline Golf Course in Cathlamet.

Tyler St. Onge had a slow start with bogeys on four of the first six holes but finished with birdies on two of the last three to medal with a 37, edging out teammate Zach Johnston 38. Logan LaBerge shot 41 for the Mules , Elijah Doiron 48, while Joseph Savelio and Kaleo Silva both shot 50. Cole Shipman shot 50 for TRC.

The Mule junior varsity, playing for a possible spot on the Mules team that goes to district, shot 218. Braxton Johns shot 53, Mike Martin 54, William Guitron 55 and Colton Vic 56.

The Mules put their district trophy on the line next Monday when they travel to Tumwater to play Ilwaco, Northwest Christian, Kalama, Adna, Life Christian Academy, North Beach and Three Rivers Christian for a chance to qualify for state.