Niwot girls golf wins R2J Invite at Olde Course

The Niwot High School girls golf team won top honors at the R2J Invitational hosted by Berthoud High School at the Olde Course in Loveland April 29, and it wasn't close. But it did come with an exclamation point by Wendy Cheruiyot at the end.

"We had Mina O'Dell, Wendy Cheruiyot, Addy Murphy and Emmy Hostelley representing Niwot," Coach Ed Weaver said. "Our girls took home the first place trophy by winning the tournament by five strokes. Wendy Cheruiyot made a birdie on her last hole to take first place individually. Wendy and Emmy both had their high school personal best scores today."

"We have had many schedule changes due to weather," Weaver said. "We have a young team, with Mina O'Dell as the only senior on the team. Emmy Hostelley is a sophomore, and Wendy Cheruiyot, Scout Worland and Addy Murphy are all freshmen that have been playing in tournaments for us this year."

The Niwot girls golf team may be young, but with just a week to go in Longs Peak League play, the Cougars find themselves in second place in the 10-team league.

O'Dell, who has experience playing at state, has been the stalwart of the team. Weaver said, "Last Monday (April 22), we played in the Holy Family Invitational at Fox Hill and we finished fourth out of 15 teams. Individually, give a huge shout out to Mina O'Dell who shot a 79, her personal best in a high school event, and she finished in a tie for first place."

O'Dell isn't the only Cougar golfer to show improvement, according to Weaver. "On Thursday, we played in the league event at the Olde Course in Loveland. The event was cut short by weather but Wendy Cheruiyot shot 83, and Emmy Hostelley and Scout Worland both had their best scores in a league event."

The Cougars have two events remaining, with the Frederick League event on Thursday, May 2, and the Niwot League event on Tuesday, May 7.