The Class 5A and 4A girls golf state tournaments completed Day 1 of play on courses along the front range. After the first rounds, defending champions Valor Christian (5A) and Erie (4A) had the team leads.
The second of day of each tournament begin Wednesday morning.
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Class 5A (Black Bear Golf Club)
Valor sophomore Brenna Higgins shot a 6-under-par 66 to take the early lead. She shot a bogey-free round and made an eagle on the par-4 fourth hole to quickly dive into red numbers.
Smoky Hill freshman Sophia Stiwich and Cherry Creek sophomore Caitlyn Chin also shot under par on the day. Rock Canyon freshman Ashley Chang shot an even 72 and is six strokes back of the lead heading into the final day.
The Eagles shot 224 as a team and are 14 strokes ahead of Cherry Creek.
Play was halted due to a lightning delay but was able to resume and the round was completed as scheduled.
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Class 4A (Thorncreek Golf Creek)
It was an Erie player taking the Day 1 lead, but not in the way it was anticipated. First, it was Logan Hale, not defending champion Hadley Ashton. Second, she’s tied with Cheyenne Mountain senior Ava Schroeder.
Both shot a 1-under-par 71 and share the lead heading into Day 2. Ashton sits two shots back after firing a 73. She would have been tied for the lead had it not been for a double-bogey on 16.
The Tigers have the team lead and are looking for their second straight team title. Discovery Canyon sits in second place and is behind by 21 strokes.
