Niwot girls golf team resilient at Granite Peaks League tournament

The Niwot High School girls varsity golf team competed in the Granite Peaks League tournament on Wednesday, April 16, placing seventh overall with a team score of 389. While the day brought early challenges, the Cougars fought through with determination, and several athletes finished their rounds on a high note.

Leading the team was sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot, who continued to establish herself as one of Niwot's top competitors with a score of 81. Cheruiyot had a difficult start to the tournament but responded with resilience, finishing strong over the final stretch of holes.

Close behind her was fellow sophomore Addison Murphy, who carded a 101 and also showed growth over the course of the day after a tough opening. Junior Emmy Hostelley finished with a 103, senior Sonia Bingham shot a 104, and senior Ayla Shatz posted a 107 to round out the team's scoring.

Although the Cougars had hoped to place higher, Head Coach Ed Weaver said he was proud of the group's perseverance and ability to reset under pressure. "I am most proud of the fact that [they] were resilient and kept going," Weaver said. "I find it impressive-the mental toughness and consistency my athletes have."

Weaver emphasized that while golf is often a solitary sport, the way the team members supported each other through ups and downs was one of the more impressive aspects of the day. According to Weaver, both Cheruiyot and Murphy managed to rebound after a shaky start, finishing the final holes with improved composure and confidence. Their performances helped anchor the team and demonstrated the kind of mental strength the coaching staff has been emphasizing all season.

"I like to remind them that there's nothing they can do about the last shot-only focus on the one ahead of them," Weaver said.

Throughout the tournament, Weaver spent time with each athlete on the course, helping each of them work through decisions and build their game strategically. "I ask them to tell me their options on the course, guide them to the right decision on their own," he explained. "That's the power in making your own decisions on the course."

By encouraging golfers to think through shot choices themselves, Weaver said the athletes are learning how to stay calm and deliberate during competitive play. That ability to make sound decisions under pressure, he said, is a skill that goes beyond just the scorecard.

For seniors like Shatz and Bingham, tournaments like this one offer a chance to lead by example and bring stability to a young roster. The Cougars' team dynamic includes a strong mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen, with younger athletes like Cheruiyot and Murphy already showing leadership on the course through consistent performances and hard-fought rounds.

As the season progresses, the team is continuing to build toward its postseason goals. Despite the seventh-place finish, the day was filled with smaller wins-staying focused after a rough hole, adjusting to difficult greens, and hitting a well-executed recovery shot.

The Cougars will return to action this week with two more competitive outings. On Wednesday, April 23, the team will compete at the Granite Peaks League Match #5 at The Olde Course at Loveland, followed by another Granite Peaks League tournament on Thursday, April 24, at Coyote Creek Golf Course.