Oasis roundup: Two golfers punch tickets to 2A state

A pair of golfers qualified for this week’s state tournament.

Oasis Academy’s Oliva Kutansky and Meirra Cavanaugh punched their ticket last week in the 2A West Region championship at Eagle Valley East (par 72) after North Tahoe won the tournament.

Kutansky said that consistency in practice and keeping a positive mindset have helped in reaching her goals this season.

“The season I am having has definitely been an improvement from the season I had last year,” she said. “I have not only improved my game but I have also made new friends from other golf teams I've played with.”

Kutansky finished fifth overall with a score of 99 and has been ranked in the top of the region throughout the season. For state, the plan is to stay relaxed and enjoy the moment.

“I feel like I play my best when I'm relaxed and calm,” she said. “I always try to think of every tournament as just a normal day out playing golf with my friends. And what I have done to prepare for it is just practicing my mindfulness and staying consistent with my game.”

For Cavanaugh, she missed most of the season with a broken finger and finished seventh at regionals with a score of 110. However, the top-six golfers from non-qualifying teams advanced to state, which paved the way for Cavanaugh to pick up the fourth spot after her teammate grabbed the second berth. The top score belonged to Sage Ridge’s Morgan Hayes, who carded an 87.

“My goal for state is not to win like some may think. My goal is to play well and try my hardest,” said Cavanaugh, who credits Kutansky and her coaches, including Dave Halloran for their support this fall. “I want to show people that I can play this game and I can play well.”

While finishing as high as possible in the final standings is on her mind, Cavanaugh is already looking forward to improving in the offseason. For now, though, she’s focused on the little things as she embarks in her first state tournament.

“I am trying to save my nerves until the tournament is sooner while I am just trying to improve my swing at every practice to help me compete better when the time comes,” Cavanaugh said.

“I also need positive self-talk and know my physical and mental strengths. Golf is a very mental and self-aware game. This is because you don't have other teammates to back you up if you are having a hard time. Also, many people don't realize it, but there are so many small components that just make up the ‘simple’ golf swing. There is your tempo, swing path, rotating hands over, getting your hips through, and the most simple but important of all, watching the ball.”

The state tournament was on Oct. 17-18 at the Toiyabe Golf Club in New Washoe City. Results will be available online and in next week’s print edition.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Bighorns cross country team began the month with three meets as the regular season ends next week.

In Oct. 6’s Lowry Invitational at the Winnemucca Golf Course, sophomore Hunter Adams led the team with a time of 22 minutes, 13.32 seconds in the 5,000-meter course. Freshman Leonidas Arcoraci finished in 22:19.69 followed by sophomore Jay Frederick in 24:00.35. Sophomore Kayden White ran the race in 24:02.73 and sophomore Chase Ackerman ended in 25:03.90.

Sophomore Kayla Greenberg, the team’s only runner in the girls division, finished in 31:30.61.

In last Wednesday’s Highlander 5K at Incline Middle School, Adams paced the team with a time of 22:51 followed by Arcoraci in 23:49. Freshman Kamron Bracken finished in 24:10 followed by Ackerman in 26:20.

Greenberg finished the race in 30:49.

In Friday’s 5,000-meter Chase Race at North Valleys High School in Reno, Arcoraci led the team with a time of 21:36 and Bracken finished the race in 22:55. Ackerman ran the course in 23:24 and Frederick finished it in 24:46.

Greenberg finished the race in 28:49.

The Bighorns competed in the Spanish Springs JV Invitational at Golden Eagle Regional Park on Tuesday and will travel to the Dave Marson Trail Run in Carson City.

The regional meet is Friday at Rancho San Rafael followed by state next month in Reno.

VOLLEYBALL

The Oasis Academy volleyball team dropped its fifth match in a row after a three-game sweep to Coral Academy last Wednesday at the city-county gym.

The Falcons swept the season series with a 25-16, 25-22 and 25-20 win over the Bighorns (2-12), who fell to last place in the 2A North.

Oasis Academy, which was eliminated from playoff contention, is competing in the 2A for the first time and has four matches left in the season. Its final home match is next Wednesday against North Tahoe.

Junior Kaitlyn Guthrie and sophomore Dahlila Creer each tied for the team-high in kills with four, and sophomore Grace Laca had three and sophomore Taylor Hyde added two. Laca led in aces with two, and sophomore Alyssa Ayers and Hyde each had one. Hyde and Guthrie each finished with three digs, and Ayers added nine assists.