As the wind and weather ramped up this past week around the state, prep girls golfers were challenged to control the controllables with regular-season play coming to an end. Certainly, it was a week where low scores were simply not in the cards and shooting in the high 70s was a hurdle overcome.

Looking at the broader picture, there are a few girls who have flown under the radar all season yet seem to be swinging hot sticks right now. Here are 10 girls golfers whose clubs are sizzling heading to regional play next week:

Sofia Contreras, Pueblo Central: In four tournaments since May 2, the junior has finished as medalist three times and runner-up once. Her rounds include a 3-under-par 69 (Thursday at Four Mile Ranch), an 84 (Monday at Elmwood), a 76 (Friday at Hollydot) and a 77 (May 2 at Elmwood). No doubt, she has positioned herself as one of the south region’s top golfers heading toward the postseason.

Ava Engelhardt, Lutheran: Her 76 at Flying Horse on Wednesday won the Discovery Canyon Thunder Invitational, and the sophomore also finished top-six at the Kadet Invitational last Friday with an 87 (only two players broke 80). Going back to last Wednesday’s Pine Creek Invite, she placed third with an 84, which was just two strokes off the lead.

Addison Hines, Ralston Valley: On Tuesday at Fox Hollow, Hines edged Valor’s Brenna Higgins by a single stroke, with both players at par or better. On Thursday at Indian Tree, the two switched places in the order on the scoreboard while putting together spectacular, almost-matching rounds (see the Mega Bonus section for more). And for good measure, she carded an even-par 72 at the Eisenhower Golf Club to win the Kadet Invite by seven strokes.

Macy Kleve, Windsor: The junior shot 79 at Twin Peaks to win a league event on Wednesday, and her 83 on May 2 during the Frederick Golden Eagle Invite at Coyote Creek was good for an eighth-place finish. Going back to April 29 at The Showcase event at Boulder Country Club, Kleve shot 80 to tie Hines and Prospect Ridge’s Hope Torres for sixth place.

Lenna Perrson, Aspen: While the past week has been quiet for the Skiers, Perrson has been playing well lately. Her 82 at the Vail Mountain Invite on May 2 was good for second place, and she also tied for 12th place with her 82 at the prestigious Showcase. Reaching back to April 17, she won the Glenwood Demons RVR Championship with a 76 at River Valley Ranch.

Raleigh Puzio, Brighton: The junior didn’t get to complete her most recent round at Fort Collins Country Club as weather moved in, but she was leading the final Front Range League event when play was halted on Monday. Prior to that, the junior recorded a win at the Frederick Invite (75 at Coyote Creek) and a solid 73 at Flatirons on May 1 for another top-two placing in an FRL tournament.

CheyAnne Schrick, Timnath: The freshman won at RainDance National on Tuesday, as she was the only player to break 80 (77) at her school’s own invitational event. She also won an event Monday, with her 80 at Southridge besting the field at Liberty Common’s tournament. Her 12th place finish (82) at The Showcase also proved the freshman has ice water running through her veins when it comes to elite competition.

Makaela Swanson, Northfield: The senior’s past three league tournaments have proven she’s peaking at the right time. She finished two strokes out of first place at Aurora Hills on April 30 by carding an 81, then finished first at Kennedy Golf Course on Tuesday with a 77 and first on Thursday at City Park with a 75.

Makena Thayer, Battle Mountain: Monday at Tiara Rado, the sophomore shot 80 to win the GJ Central Warrior Open by five strokes. Her 79 on May 2 at Eagle Ranch also netted a tourney victory at the Vail Mountain Invite.

Mollie Todd, Golden: The senior earned medalist in each of her two events this past week in Jeffco League 4A play, shooting a solid 75 at Fox Hollow to win by two and following that up with a first-place tying round of 81 at Indian Tree.

Hunting the Mega Bonus

(No Laying Up)

(Editor’s Note: The No Laying Up series Strapped features the journey of Big Randy and Neil Schuster playing three rounds of golf on a budget. The deal is that if either of them shoots a round under par, they win the Mega Bonus, which doubles their budget for the full trip. An avid No Laying Up fan, Colorado Preps editor-in-chief Dan Mohrmann likes to track high school players going for the Mega Bonus. They will be featured weekly in Adam’s golf recap.)

Contreras overcame a 7 on her second hole played at Four Mile Ranch on Thursday, proceeding to finish out her round with six birdies over her final nine holes (32 on the back nine) to end up with a 3-under 69.

Hines was on the hunt for birdies at Fox Hollow on Tuesday and ended up with three of them — within a stretch of six holes in the middle of her round — on her way to a 1-under 71. On Thursday, she equaled that 71 at Indian Tree (2-under par) with three birdies and 14 pars.

Higgins made birdie on four of her first five holes at Indian Tree on Thursday, eventually leading to a 3-under par 70 and another Jeffco League tournament victory.

Regional schedule by date:

Monday, May 13:

Class 5A Northern, at Coyote Creek
Class 5A Southern, at Pinery Country Club
Class 4A Region 1, at Walking Stick
Class 4A Region 2, at Broadlands
Class 3A Region 1, at Hollydot
Class 3A Region 2, at Lone Tree
Class 3A Region 3, at Sky Ranch

Tuesday, May 14:

Class 5A Western, at West Woods (Sleeping Indian)
Class 4A Region 4, at Foothills
Class 3A Region 4, at Cattails

Wednesday, May 15:

Class 4A Region 3, at Twin Peaks
Class 5A Central, at Raccoon Creek