Ricky Olson and Morgan Cadigan know what it takes to compete in high-level golf tournaments.
Last week, the Bear Creek seniors earned medalist honors at their 2B district events, and next week they’ll both give their clubs a workout for the fourth straight year at the state tourney at Oakbrook Golf Course in Lakewood. Last year at state, Olson took seventh while Cadigan notched fifth and led her team to a third-place finish.
In addition to district solo titles, both golfers guided their teams to district crowns. Olson will be joined at state by sophomore Colin Diamond, and Cadigan will have seniors Kiersten Sprick and Sarah Witt and sophomores Gracie Matthews and Wendy Hsia on her side.
The keys to success for Olson are “just playing smart, limiting your bad shots and just having fun, too,” he said. Olson, who shot an 18-hole 81 at districts, was also medalist at the Sea-Tac League championships.
He’s been golfing for about seven years and feels that he’s constantly improving his skills. He’s excited for another shot at state and thinks a top-five finish could be in the cards. Diamond, who competed at state as a freshman last year, also has the potential to place high, Olson said.
Cadigan first stepped onto a golf course six years ago, and her dad’s evaluation was, “’Oh, you have a natural swing, you might as well stick with it,’” she said, adding about her time on the course these days, “It’s fun. You can’t stop improving, getting better and lowering those scores.”
Cadigan, who shot a 93 at districts, likes the competitive fire and confidence she sees in her Grizzly teammates and is hopeful that they’ll place in the upper echelon at state.
They’re all pushing each other to improve their scores each time out, she said, adding that they’re doing their best and never giving up.
REDMOND HIGH
Junior Casie Helgeson and her Mustang crew are set for state, as well, on May 21-22 at Club Green Meadows in Vancouver.
Helgeson, who took sixth at the 4A Girls’ District 2 Tournament, will hit the state links with senior Allison Hunt, junior Caitey Minifie and freshman Ally Collier, who all combined to finish second in the team standings at districts.
It will be Helgeson’s third year at state and she’s confident that she can perform well next week. The girls have been putting in some extra time practicing at the Willows Run Golf Course and Helgeson feels they’ve reached their peak at the right time.
“We kind of get home a little late, but it’s all worth it,” she said of their Wednesday links sessions.
Helgeson has always been driven to succeed in golf tournaments, ever since she took up the sport in third grade. She remembers attending junior golf camps and the feeling of excitement and hard work paying off during the end-of-camp tourneys.
She’ll be putting her short game to the test at state.
“It’s really a lot more important than you might think,” said Helgeson, adding that she’s been working on her putting, chipping and 100-yard shots to help lower her scores.
OVERLAKE
The Owls girls, who entered the 1A Emerald City League tournament in third place with an 8-3 record, won the event at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course.
Junior Nicki Buecker was the medalist, leading the pack with an 89, and other juniors Bijou Basu (fourth place) and Jenay Brown (eighth place) played well and moved on to tri-districts with freshman Lizzie Riffle (14th place) as an alternate.
Buecker and senior Daniel Lee qualified for the girls and boys state tournament, which will take place on May 21-22 at Lake Spanaway Golf Course.
