Stillwater won its first girls golf title while sealing Class 6A crown
STILLWATER — Stillwater locals gathered around the green as the last wave of golfers arrived at the 18th hole Tuesday afternoon.
The crowd was bigger. The applause was louder. Every celebration for Stillwater's girls golf team was magnified because of the setting.
The Pioneers made history at home. Stillwater secured the school's first state championship in girls golf, and it happened at Stillwater Country Club. The Pioneers carded a 615 to win the Class 6A title by 11 strokes. Three Stillwater golfers finished in the top 10, but the individual title went to Norman North sophomore Juliana Hong, who carded a 1-over 141 through two rounds.
When she walked off the 18th green, her teammates surprised her with the news she was holding the lead.
“I didn't even know I was ahead the whole time because I don't look at any of my (leaderboard) stuff,” Hong said. “I actually thought I was behind at the end.”
The wind had picked up since Monday, adding an extra challenge for everyone, but Hong managed to birdie the second and sixth holes.
Since she had one of the earlier tee times Tuesday, her fate was out of her hands after she finished. Stillwater senior Lucy Darr was her nearest challenger, but the Oklahoma State signee shot a 144 through two rounds to place second.
Hong and Nikki Pitts of Stillwater were the only sophomores to finish in the top 10, while juniors and seniors comprised the rest of the group. Pitts placed eighth, while junior teammate Amy Reavis, who also carded a 155, finished ninth with the tiebreaker. Stillwater freshman Maggie Ruby placed 16th with a 161, opening the second round with a birdie on the first hole.
Stillwater coach Angela Knott, the Pioneers' former junior high coach, has treasured the opportunity to watch this team grow up and handle the pressure of competing at state with the eyes of their hometown upon them.
“We preach to them really hard that they've got to be extra kind to themselves,” Knott said. “Have positive words to say to themselves even when things aren't quite going the way that they want to. Champions figure out how to get it done even when they're not maybe playing their best, and the only shot that really matters is the next one.”