With the CHSAA state championships in girls golf about four weeks out, teams are starting to show their true colors in the race for state titles. So far it’s Legend, Timnath and Valor Christian that are leaping ahead of the competition from a group supremacy standpoint.

Of course, those teams will not compete against each other directly, as Timnath is dominating the Class 3A field. But the Cubs are certainly showing they could and would compete against the best of the best if all things were level. Colorado Preps has touched on Timnath before, but they cannot be ignored when three freshmen players are helping create what could turn into a dynasty. Peyton Landon, Sienna Schrick and Isla Carlucci are commanding every course they play in the Longs Peak League.

Regarding 5A, the Titans and Eagles have some young talent, too, but Legend’s Maddie Makino and Valor’s Ella Scott are a couple of veterans who have provided consistency that will keep them in the conversation for the individual state title. VCHS’ Aja Blankenship is currently ranked top-13 in the iWanamaker 5A listings, and Legend also touts senior Adyson Ice in the top 20.

In terms of team play in 4A, it’s a tighter bunch of programs with Ponderosa, Riverdale Ridge, Niwot, Pueblo West and Air Academy all viable contenders. Each of those teams has at least two players in the top 25 of the rankings.

The Big Kahuna

The Heather Cho Memorial tournament last Thursday combined great weather with favorable course play, and the results spoke for themselves as five individual golfers went under par and 17 shot 79 or better. Legend’s Makino overcame a double on a par-5 early in her round, making five birdies in the aftermath on her way to 4-under 68. That tied with Colorado Academy’s Sophia Lee, who birdied her 16th and 18th holes of the day to forge the co-medalist honors. Scout Fitzgerald (Legend) carded 69, while Chaparral’s Lilie Cohen aced the par-4, 202-yard sixth hole as part of a round of 70. Castle View’s Payton Rowell and Rock Canyon’s Ashley Chang each shot 1-under 71.

Elsewhere

Reese Barnett’s 69 at Stratton was 1-over par on the shorter course, but good enough to win the Stratton Invite by 20 strokes.

Cherry Creek had three players shoot 79 or better, including winner Hadley Thompson at 73, to win the Centennial League meet Tuesday at Springhill.

Battle Mountain’s Makena Thayer and Steamboat Springs’ Katharina Cosby battled each other once again right at the top of a couple events this week. Wednesday at River Valley, Cosby came out on top with a 74 while Thayer chimed in at 76 (both were more than 12 strokes ahead of third place). Just one day prior, it was Thayer who conquered Aspen Glen with a 1-over 73, while Cosby finished second at 81 — and still 11 strokes better than anyone else.

Mega Bonus

(No Laying Up)

Cherry Creek won its own invitational Monday at Overland Park, but Air Academy’s Landry Frost shot 2-under 70 to capture medalist honors by five strokes. She started 3 over before making birdie on six of her final 12 holes.

Valor’s Emma Nguyen had an up-and-down Monday at Fox Hollow but still managed a 1-under 70 to win the Jeffco League meet that day.

Manitou Springs’ Addy Dorsey went 34-36 (2-under 70) at Valley Hi to take the Doherty Spartans’ Lady Invite on Monday.

Fitzgerald, Rowell, Makino and Chang were the top 4 at Wednesday’s fourth Continental League match, played at Lone Tree. Fitzgerald had one bogey and the rest pars or birdies on her way to a 2-under 70.