Niwot girls closing in on league title

Led by standouts Julia Solem and Halie Ostrom, the second-ranked Niwot girls golf team has been a top finisher in almost all of its league events so far this season, and now after a 12-stroke win at Centaurus on April 16, the Cougars are poised to win the Class 4A Northern League for the first time in years.

“We had a good lead coming in, and I don’t think we gave up much ground, if any,” Niwot head coach Ed Weaver said following the round at Indian Peaks Golf Course in Lafayette. “I know the girls, as always, want to play better. Last week we lost some practice days to weather, but I think that was the break and now we start getting ready for regionals.”

Solem was sharp for the Cougars at Centaurus, posting five birdies and seven pars on her way to a season-best 73 (+3) and a three-stroke win for the individual title, her third of 2019.

“I think I could have shot a couple lower,” Solem said. “I left a few out there, but it feels good to get the win.”

Just three strokes behind Solem was sophomore Ostrom at 77 (+7), followed by freshman Sydney Rothstein at 91(+21) and senior Laure Bourgin at 93 (+21).

“They’re having fun,

With the league wrapped up, Weaver and the Cougars are turning their thoughts to the upcoming regional qualifying tournament, slated for May 6 at Fox Hill Golf Course in Longmont. At stake are two team and 21 individual qualifying slots for this year’s Class 4A Championship tournament at Pelican Lakes in Windsor.

Weaver is happy for the familiar locale—Fox Hill serves as the Cougars’ de facto home course and Julia Solem’s extended backyard—but he’s not so sure it will prove an advantage against the region’s stacked field.

“It should be an advantage, especially for Julia, but it will be added pressure too. Everybody knows she’s a member there, so it kind of goes both ways.”