The Llano High School boys golf team is headed back to the Class 3A Region I tournament thanks to finishing as the District 5-3A runner-up.
The Yellow Jackets shot a 317-323--640 during the two-day event that started at The Buckhorn Golf Course in Comfort March 25 and finished at the Llano River Golf Course March 26.
In the girls tournament, junior Jordan Hussion shot a scorching 87-77--164 to finish third overall in the individual standings and punch a return ticket the regional tournament.
Hussion's finish is what most golfers dream of. During her final nine holes of play during the second round, she made three birdies en route to setting a new personal best, scoring in the 70s for the first time.
"I'm very happy," she said as she was exiting the final green. "I played with a different putter and a lot was staying focused and relaxed and not letting mistakes get to me."
She said the key to her success was staying calm and relaxed, no matter what type of shot she needed to make to finish a hole or had just made.
"Staying confident and (knowing) one bad shot doesn't have to be more," the golfer said. "(Head coach Mike Mcintosh) reminds me to stay relaxed, to remember I have a good game."
She said she is looking forward to the regional tournament April 16-17 at Shady Oaks Golf Course in Baird, which is a favorite of the golfer.
"The greens are nice, and I like how open the course is," she said. "It's a good length."
"I'm really so proud of her," McIntosh said. "Going into the tournament, she had a really good chance of qualifying for regionals again. To shoot that score and become the third-place medalist at district says a lot. She beat (Ingram's Tierce Zipp) by two strokes. There were just a lot of positives. I'm very excited for her and eager to see how she does at Shady Oaks."
Zipp finished as the second overall individual medalist thanks to scoring a 71-79--150.
Senior Heith Rhea paced the Jackets thanks to scoring a 73-76--149 to finish as the second-place medalist in the individual standings.
"It's Heith's best finish at a district tournament," McIntosh said. "Last year I believe he finished fourth. I'm happy for him, I'm proud of him."
And while the coach was pleased with the scores, what stood out was how Rhea bounced back from a challenging hole that might have derailed his round in past years.
Instead, the Jacket finished strong at Nos. 15, 16 and 17 with a par, birdie and a par, which propelled him to the silver medal.
"He made sure he got stronger mentally," McIntosh said. "He's able to gather himself mentally. In the past, he may not have. Physically, he's strong, he's got every shot. I see him really getting better. He's done a much better job."
Junior Graham Prokop shot a 72-78--150 for third in the individual standings.
"Day in and day out, week in and week out, he's going to be one of the favorites," McIntosh said. "He had several bogies, and he still held it together. That's what allowed him to get third place."
Sophomore Luke Davis ended with a 77-77--154 for a top 10 finish.
"They hit strong scores," the coach said. "That's a great group. I'm proud of these kids."
Their scores plus Hussion's means the four are first team all-district members. District rules stipulate the top 10 finishers in the individual standings are named to the first team. The next 10 are second team all-district members.
"There's no voting," McIntosh said. "That is a good difference. It all came from our scores. Coaches don't get to vote. For the boys, it's something to be proud of."
Sophomore Caden White's 95 was used as part of the first round score, while sophomore Landon Magadance scored a 92 during the second round.
Blanco won the district crown by scoring a 312-314--626.
The boys regional tournament is April 14-15 at Diamondback National Golf Club in Abilene.
