Playing together for the first time this season, the Salado Lady Eagles earned their third consecutive trip to the state tournament with a second-place regional finish.
But according to Salado coach Bobby Peschel, his squads still haven’t shown what they’re capable of.
“We have not put our low scores together this year yet,” Peschel said. “At some point we hope we can do that. If we do, we’re going to put some really good numbers up there.”
Peschel would love to see that happen today and Tuesday when the Salado boys and girls compete at the Class 2A Interscholastic University League State Tournament at Roy Kizer Golf Course.
Ever since a second-place finish last year to two-time defending champion Edgewood, the Salado boys have been eagerly anticipating another shot at the title.
Leading the Eagles is defending individual champion Ryan O’Rear, who is making his third state appearance after placing fourth as a freshman. Jared Hahn, Tyler Pines and Tom Baine return for the second straight year while Craig Little, who didn’t start golfing until two years ago, will be making his state debut.
Little tees off at 8:55 a.m. with his teammates following. Pines said this group, comprised of all juniors, has made significant strides since last May.
“Just mentally, we’ve gotten a lot better,” said Pines, who tied for 28th in 2007 after rounds of 86 and 81. “Last year we were a little sporadic with each other. Some times we would have interpersonal conflicts with ourselves and with other team members. It would bring down our mood. Now, we’ve all come together and we’ve matured. One year doesn’t seem like too much time, but we’ve matured a lot.”
Added Hahn: “Team-wise we’re shooting a whole lot more consistent. We had guys last year that were shooting mid to upper 80s. Those guys are now capable of shooting mid to upper 70s.”
Hahn, who was struggling with his swing and finished tied for 20th at state last year, fired an even-par 72 in the first round of regionals. Pines shot a 77 in the final round of the District 25-2A tournament.
Ryan O’Rear’s game is peaking at the right time.
During the district and regional tournament, Ryan O’Rear shot under par in each round and heads into state today trying to become the first 2A repeat champion since Colton Williams of Jacksboro accomplished the feat in 2004-05.
While Ryan O’Rear tries to repeat, the Eagles hope they can spoil a different streak. Edgewood is bidding to become the first 2A three-time champion since Hamilton won from 1997-99 so the Salado golfers realize they can’t afford a slow start.
“We just need to get a good solid round in first and keep ourselves in it,” Hahn said. “On the second day we can just go into cruise control.”
Less than a few weeks ago, four of the five Lady Eagles weren’t competing on the golf course.
Sophomore Haley Kemp and freshmen Hadley Joiner and Brennan Boydstun were part of the Lady Eagles track team while sophomore Rachel VanHoozer was hurling softballs.
Since the track and softball seasons have ended, Kemp, Joiner, Boydstun and VanHoozer have teamed up with freshman Taylor O’Rear as Salado attempts to win a fourth state title in the last seven years.
Kemp is the only Lady Eagle to play at state after tying for 28th last year. The girls begin play at 8 a.m.
“I’m excited and nervous, but definitely ready,” said Taylor O’Rear, the younger sister of Ryan O’Rear.
Just like her brother, Taylor O’Rear is playing her best golf at the most important time of the year.
After tournament rounds of 95 and 94 in March, Taylor O’Rear's game really turned around when she began to devote more attention to her short game.
“I started focusing on my chipping more and more,” said Taylor O’Rear, who had rounds of 81 and 82 at regionals and finished second overall. “I stopped playing as much and started doing that instead and it’s seemed to work.”
Added Peschel: “She’s an extremely hard-worker which makes it possible for her to make as big a jump as she did. The possibility of her going low is always there.”
Three days removed from her final softball game, VanHoozer rebounded from a first-round 99 at regionals to shoot a second-round 85.
“It’s just starting to hit me now,” said VanHoozer about the pressure of the state tournament. “I’m just hoping to play like I did and shoot in the mid 80s again.”
If that happens, both of Peschel’s squads should be in contention for a state title.
“I’m very optimistic and I think we’re very talented,” Peschel said. “Golf is a very fickle game. Golf doesn’t give, it takes. We have to be very focused. You can’t be overly greedy, you have to play the course and you have to be consistent.”
