Carson High senior golfer Sarah Wiggins hits her approach shot on the 18th hole of the Sierra Sage Golf Course during the Class 5A regional tournament Wednesday. Wiggins was fourth as an individual after shooting a 78-83–161.
Melissa Knight / Faith Photography NV
With her parents behind the 18th green, flowers in hand, the moment caught up to Carson High senior girls golf Sarah Wiggins as she spoke with her head coach Wade Greenlee.
After not getting a chance to go to the state tournament last season (this spring), Wiggins helped the Senators punch their ticket to the Class 5A Girls State Golf Tournament as a team, closing out the day with a 78-83–161.
“I just realized that was my last tournament at home. All the pressure of leading everyone down to state and just knowing we were going to all go,” said Wiggins. “It just hit me at once.”
Wiggins said she played the course Saturday and shot a 76, priming her for a solid outing at regionals.
As an individual, Wiggins was the fourth best golfer over the two-day tournament while the Senators qualified in third place as a team.
(The Carson High girls golf team poses for a photo after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament Wednesday at regionals. Pictured from left to right are, assistant coach Keith Squires, Madeline Roberts, Rhianna Redwine, Kylee Wentz, Jaime McGee, Sarah Wiggins, head coach Wade Greenlee and Madeline Silsby. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)
Audrey Brust won the Class 5A regional meet with a 67-69–136.Her 67 (-8) on Tuesday set the high school girls course record. In 2020, Carson High alumna Karen Beglin shot the women's course record with a 66 in an amateur event. For Wiggins and the rest of the Senators, a trip just south of Las Vegas will be on the horizon early next week where they will be playing at Primm Valley Golf Club just over the border in Nipton, California.
The state tournament is another two-day event on Monday and Tuesday next week.
“It’s just so rewarding after all this time. It’s amazing, especially as a team,” said Wiggins.
The remaining five Senator golfers are all sophomores and all put together important, consistent rounds in order to qualify for state.
Rhianna Redwine was the second lowest scorer for Carson with a 97-102–199.
Kylee Wentz shot a 99-102–201 while Jaime McGee posted a 103-100–203.
Madeline Silsby (101-104–205) and Madeline Roberts (105-102–207) rounded out play for Carson Wednesday.
“Even before they were freshman, they came out. … Their game has improved. We said at the beginning of the year, it was going to be close,” said head coach Wade Greenlee. “It’s that thrill of seeing these kids work so hard and then achieve something.”
Specifically to Wiggins, Greenlee said her swing has improved due to her dedication to hit the course in the offseason.
“This year, she’s played a lot more golf. But she’s changed her swing and she’s able to play with those girls up top,” said Greenlee. “Now, she’s just going to hit it straight. She has improved her game quite a bit.”
Statebound
It's the second time in five years the Senator golf team qualified for state.
Carson was the final team to qualify with a team score of 762, finishing behind Galena (724) and Bishop Manogue (631).
For Greenlee and company, making Galena and others sweat down at the state tournament will be the goal.
“I would love to compete against Galena,” said Greenlee. “We kind of see if we can not be the sixth place team, or I would love to see us play on a new course the same we played here.”
In what will officially be her last high school meet, Wiggins has some expectations for herself, but is staying centered in her goals.
“I kind of just want to be happy with my score. I feel like making it down there was enough, but hopefully top 10,” said Wiggins.
(Sarah Wiggins putts on the 18th hole at Sierra Sage Golf Course Wednesday. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)
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