The Fighting Knights did what all good teams do in a two-day tournament – they shaved strokes off their scores as the tourney rolled on.

David Bell/News-Herald File Photo. Havasu’s Michael Wrona watches his drive during play in the Gila Valley Regional Tournament at the Courses at London Bridge Golf Club Oct. 23. Wrona and teammate Blake Bradley qualified for the state finals as individual players while the Fighting Knights were seven strokes back from qualifying as a team.

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to earn the team a berth in the state finals.

The Lake Havasu High School boys golf team finished in ninth place with a score of 682 in super regional play Monday and Tuesday, nine strokes back from the cutoff.

The Top 7 teams advanced.

“The disappointment is still fresh but I think they’ll slowly realize they’re in a good position and the program is heading in the right direction,” said Havasu head coach Mike Washington.

While the team won’t play in the state finals, two members will seek individual honors. Both sophomore Blake Bradley and freshman Michael Wrona earned spots in the state tourney. Bradley shot an 82-81 163 and Wrona an 85-83 168 to win the spots as individual players.

“I’m excited that Blake and Mike get to experience the state tourney at such an early stage in careers,” Washington said.

Garrett Luzzi was next for the Knights with a 91-84 175, followed by Jordan Ehgoetz with an 87-89 176 and Butch Gregg with a 95-89 184.

“I’m very happy with the way they responded. After the first day, they knew we were off the pace, about seven strokes. That equates to about two strokes per person and were able to decrease eight,” Washington said.

However, facing teams like Gilbert Perry – who shot a team score of 599 over the two days to capture the super regional – required a bit more.

“The good thing is that everybody that played in this super regional is coming back next year,” Washington said. “We’re looking to build on this success and add to it.”

Bradley and Wrona will head back down to the valley on Nov. 9-10 for the state finals. Play will take place at Glendale’s 500 Club with a 7:30 tee off on Monday and an 11:30 a.m. start on Tuesday.

Byers, O’Neill advance to state for Lady Knights

Just seven strokes were enough to keep the Lady Knights from advancing to the state playoffs as a team.

The Lake Havasu High School girls golf team finished in sixth place in the AIA 5A-II super regionals Monday and Tuesday, with a team score of 801. The Top 5 teams advanced to state.

“The girls are disappointed they’re not going as a team. I’m a little disappointed too,” said Havasu head coach Jerome Kosters. “We were just five strokes back of fifth place after the first day. But that’s the game of golf.”

While the team isn’t advancing two of its members are. Both Taylor Byers and Bailey O’Neill qualified as individuals as two of the top players in the region.

O’Neill finished the two-day super regional with a team best score of 98-94 192 followed by Byers with a 96-98 194.

“Bailey really came back with a good score on her second day,” Kosters said. “It was a long course and that makes scores go up. And the greens were a little slow.”

Following Byers was Kaitlyn Sweeney with a 107-99 208, Brooke Gettess with a 103-106 209 and the fifth spot was split between two players. Kaitlyn Attencio shot a 114 on Day 1 and Lizzy Walters shot a 144 on Day 2 for a combined score of 258.

“The scores were a little below our average and we could have done better,” Kosters said. “And it was a tough super regional.”

On the plus side, Kosters said, is a young Gila Valley Region champion Lady Knights squad that will have another chance to advance as a team next year. Just one player – Walters – graduates this year.

“We had a very good season, with a winning record overall,” he said. “We’re still young and they worked hard all season. I think you can see that from the season record.”

O’Neill and Byers travel to the Maryvale Golf Course in Phoenix on Nov. 9-10 for the state finals. Tee time Monday is 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.