Strong day for Peri, Douglas golf

Carson High's Lydia Peri and the Douglas High girls golf team can only hope today goes as well as Monday.

Peri had the lowest score of all Northern Nevada golfers during Monday's first round at the NIAA 4A State Championships at the Canyon Gate Country Club in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Douglas is halfway home to a state title.

Peri shot an 11-over-par 83 and is tied for fifth after the first round. Douglas is in a three-way race for the team title, leading with a 469 after the first round.

Silverado is second with a 469 and Green Valley is third with a 473. Rounding out the team scoring is Bishop Gorman 505, Spanish Springs 511, Centennial 537.

"She played very well," said Carson coach Terry Gingell about Peri. "She hit the ball well. It's a long course. It's a fairly difficult course. I'm very pleased with her game. She hit the ball beautifully."

Gingell said Peri was also able to overcome several three-putts. "It was a lot of fun to watch," he said. "She was very composed out there. I'm hoping she goes out and does it again."

The fact that two of the Tigers' top players struggled on Monday bodes well for Douglas. Bethany Wurster, who won the Northern 4A title last week, settled for an 89 while Michele Nikkels for a 100. It figures that both of those players should shoot better today.

The Tigers' other three scoring players all had strong rounds. Katie Gettman shot a 90, Heather Henderson fired a 91 and Shelby Louie added a 93.

Coronado's Bethany Glassford and Bishop Gorman's Jennifer Hahn each shot a 79 for the lead. Centennial's Beth Burris and Alex Borcherts were tied for third at 82 and Silverado's Tameka Demps was tied with Peri at 83.