Boulder City, Faith Lutheran’s Lacher bring home 3A state titles

Boulder City’s girls and Faith Lutheran’s Ashley Lacher came home winners Tuesday in Spring Creek.

The Eagles shot 385 in the second round to secure the school’s first Class 3A girls state golf championship at Spring Creek Golf Course.

Lacher, a sophomore, carded a 9-over-par 80 to finish at 165, winning the individual title by 14 strokes over Lowry senior Chloe McClintock.

Boulder City, which had a six-stroke lead heading into the final round, finished at 775 and won by 18 strokes over second-place Virgin Valley. Lowry was third at 806.

“The girls went out a little tight that first day,” Boulder City coach Regina Quintero said. “They knew things were in our favor. After being undefeated in our league, they had high expectations.”

Margot Potter, a senior, shot the second-best round on Tuesday with an 89. She finished fourth overall at 183.

The Eagles had four golfers among the top 11. No other school had more than two.

Boulder City’s Ashley Vince was sixth at 194, Indiana Mead took seventh at 198, and Bridget Ward finished in a three-way tie for ninth at 203.

“They calmed down today and just went out and played,” Quintero said. “When Lowry came in higher the first day, the girls knew it was ours as long as we didn’t do something really wrong.”

Virgin Valley’s Felisha Baeza finished third at 180, and Hannah Bulloch was fifth at 188.

“We’re proud of Boulder City. They were just solid,” Virgin Valley coach Bubba Smith said. “I’m proud of our kids. Felisha played great. Hannah really came back. She lost her swing for a couple of weeks, but she got it back.”

The Bulldogs should return their entire team next season.

“It’s a wonderful experience for them to play under pressure and perform,” Smith said.

Lacher, who won last week’s Class 3A Southern League tournament, entered Tuesday’s final round tied with Baeza for first place at 85.

She became only the second Faith Lutheran girl to win a state individual title, joining Jacqui Siipola, who won in 2004.

Lacher, who only began playing golf two years ago, finished 15th at last year’s state tournament.