DiGiallonardo gets the trifecta to lead Polson golf teams

By Ethan Smith

Leader Staff

The third time's a charm, but the first and second times are too, when you're the winner.

That's what Julia DiGiallonardo did last week, leading the Polson girls golf team with three individual wins, but she had plenty of help as the Lady Pirates came away with a team win in Hamilton - the culmination of three successful golf outings for both teams.

The boys team also had a good week, taking the win in Bigfork to kick off their three days of competition.

The boys won with a 330, one stroke ahead of Class AA Glacier High School, and 23 strokes ahead of Whitefish, the nearest Class A squad. The Pirates were led by Tyler Engebretsen, who shot a great 74 to finish second, followed by Shawn Medland with an 83 for fifth, and Aaron Clairmont, who rounded out the Top 10 tied for eighth with an 85.

"That was Tyler's best performance of the year," head coach bill Owen said.

But DiGiallonardo showed she's the one to beat in Western Montana, turning in three wins in three days.

DiGiallonardo shot a 80 to lead all girls in Hamilton, followed by teammate Ashley Archer with an 81. Tali Arlint and Cali Hislop rounded out the Top 10 with a 93 and 95 to take seventh and 10th place, and help the team win with a 349 - seven strokes ahead of Whitefish.

"That's what is exciting — there's three or four girls getting their personal bests coming down the pike here, and I don't think they've peaked," Owen said.

Archer then took first place in Frenchtown Monday, with an 81, just ahead of DiGiallonardo, who took second with an 84. The girls also won the overall title in Frenchtown, for their third win in four meets.

Arlint was eighth with a 91, Hislop had a 102 and Kvam had a 101 to help the team.

"Lacey Kvam had her best round of the year Monday, so that was good," Owen said.

Medland also placed for the Pirates in Frenchtown, who finished fourth. Medland finished sixth, placing for the boys with a 76. Engebretsen was next with an 81, Ed Truman had an 87, and Aaron Clairmont and Joe Andrews both shot 90s.

The Lady Bulldogs got the upper hand Friday, though, in Polson, winning by six strokes, despite a stellar performance by a host of Lady Pirates. DiGiallonardo won the individual performance with an 81, followed by Arlint and teammate Heather Mathiason, who tied for third with 93s.

Lacey Kvam rounded out the Top 10 with a 98, tying for eighth with two other girls.

The boys team put up some good numbers, too, with Shawn Medland taking fourth overall with a 75 in Polson, followed by Aaron Clairmont, who finished seventh with a 77. The boys team finished third with a 323, 20 strokes out of first place, which went to Hamilton.

In Hamilton, the boys also finished third again, led by Clairmont's 79, Medland with an 80, Joe Andrews with an 82, Tyler Engebretsen with an 83, and Ed Truman with an 84.

For the girls, Kvam helped the team take the win in Hamilton with a 102 to round out the team's good performance on the week.

Their week started in Bigfork at the annual Invitational there, where DiGiallonardo again captured first place, this time with an 87 to lead all individuals on the girls' side. Once again, she had plenty of help to get the win, with Archer right behind her with an 87 for second place, Arlint with a 93 for third, Amy Williamson with a 106 for seventh and Hislop's 107 to round out the Top 10.

The teams will travel to Kalispell for the Flatfish Invite, which will also be the divisional tourney, this weekend, Sept. 28-29, and state will be held in Anaconda next week, starting Oct. 3.

On Friday, the girls will play on the south course for their divisional tournament, hosted by Whitefish. That score will dictate their finish in divisional play, regardless of how well they do in the overall Invite. The boys divisional

The top 20 individuals will go to state, and the top three teams. It's possible for individuals to make it to state without the team qualifying, but Owen is comfortable predicting the Lady Pirates will make it.

"The girls will make it, while it all comes down to Saturday for the boys. Right now, they've consistently been the second best team in the division, so they have a good chance," Owen.

Owen spent Tuesday night hosting a playoff between three girls, who are all vying for the coveted five spots for divisionals. Throughout the season, he's had eight different girls finish in the Top 10 in separate invites.