Led by a 1-under par 70 by Luxchmi Gill, the Galena High School girls golf team surged to a commanding lead on the opening day of the Northern 4A Regional Tournament Monday afternoon in Fernley.
The Grizzlies carded an impressive 400 team score to take a 62-shot lead over Reno (462) and begin their quest for a sixth straight regional championship at The Golf Club at Fernley. The 36-hole tournament concludes today.
Meanwhile, the Carson Senators played their way into third-place in the team standings with round of 490. Reed is fourth at 493.
"We had some girls play very well and we had some others who felt they could have scored better, and they're looking forward to coming back tomorrow," Carson coach Terry Gingell said. "We have some very good players who have worked hard and progressed all season, and you can't ask for more than that."
The Senators still have one more goal in mind, to finish second and qualify as a team for the 4A state tournament next week at Arrowcreek Golf Course in Reno. Two teams and five individuals from non-qualifying teams will advance to the state tournament.
Carson needs to make up 28 shots on Reno today in order to get that No. 2 qualifying spot, but Gingell doesn't discount that possibility.
"It's definitely reachable," the coach said. "If some girls play the way they're capable and maybe with a couple of breaks here or there, we could do it. We'll just have to see how it goes."
Liz Rankl shot 87 to lead the Senators, while Michelle Kop came through with a career-best 91. Rankl is tied for eighth on the leader board and Kop is tied for 16th.
"Michelle played very well," Gingell said. "She shot 94 for her career best last week at Rosewood Lakes and she improved on that again today."
Samantha Wang shot 99, Lydia Peri 100 and Grace Ray 113 to round out the scoring for Carson, while Sarah Metcalf came in with a non-scoring 119.
Ray had an anxious moment on the par-3 15th hole when her tee shot came to rest one foot away from the pin. She sank the putt for birdie on her way to shooting 49 for the back nine.
Rankl finished sixth overall last year (82-92-174) to earn an individual ticket to state. In regard to qualifying for state as an individual, Rankl is tied for fifth with Kristina Colyer of Douglas and two other players (when Galena and Reno players are excluded). Kop stands 10th.
Galena's 400 team score averages out to 80 for each of the five scoring players. Michele Bick is tied for second at 79 and Kalli Mannos is tied for fourth at 81.
By comparison, the Grizzlies set a Northern 4A record 848 for 36 holes last year with rounds of 429 and 419.
"That's just phenomenal," Gingell said of Galena's performance. "And Gil's 70, that's a fabulous round of golf."
Gill, a senior, is bidding to become a four-time regional individual medalist. She shot rounds of 77 and 70 to earn medalist honors in last year's regional tournament on the same course.