Niwot High girls golf competes in back-to-back tournaments

The Niwot High School girls varsity golf team faced a packed schedule last week with two back-to-back tournaments. The Cougars held their own on both days, showing improvement and consistency as they continue to push toward their postseason goals.

On Monday, April 7, the team played in the Erie Cocoa Classic Invitational at Lake Valley Golf Club, where they posted a team score of 378. Sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot led Niwot with a score of 84, placing 11th overall. Sophomore Addison Murphy and freshman Sonya Holmes each shot a 96, while junior Emmy Hostelley finished with a 104. With four players scoring under 105, the Cougars delivered a solid performance in one of their first big events of the season.

The following day, the Cougars competed in the Granite Peaks League event at Coal Creek Golf Course and finished with a team score of 371, where several team members posted even stronger results. Cheruiyot again led the team, improving on her Monday score with an 81 and placing sixth overall. Murphy followed with an 89, Holmes came in with a 94, and senior Ayla Schatz rounded out the team's top five, finishing with a 107. Hostelley added a 110, but only the top five scores count toward the team total.

Head Coach Ed Weaver noted that while the scores varied across the two days, the team's performance reflected the ongoing work they've been putting in. "Addy Murphy and Wendy Cheruiyot performed well," he said. "Murphy performed not an entire personal best but her best score in a high school tournament."

Cheruiyot continues to lead the team with her consistent play, and Weaver pointed out her unofficial role as a leader. "Wendy is my number one athlete," he said. "She helps lead the team."

Weaver also emphasized the team's strong dynamic, which has contributed to the players' growth. "They have a good team camaraderie," Weaver said. "They love talking to each other." That unity has been especially important this season as the Cougars compete with what Weaver calls "a very young team."

"Our top players are two sophomores and a freshman," he said. "It should be interesting to see how the next few years might play out." With underclassmen like Cheruiyot, Murphy, and Holmes already posting competitive scores, the program appears to be on a solid path for the future.

The Cougars are aiming to send at least four athletes to the state tournament this year, and Weaver believes they are on track to meet that goal.

Niwot's next golf challenge comes on Wednesday, April 16, at Broomfield High School, where the team will look to build on this week's momentum.