Golf: Iraan's boys and girls are in contention for Class 1A state medals

AUSTIN There could be some heavy medal returning to Iraan High School later this week.

Both the Iraan boys and girls stand third in the team standings after Monday's opening round of the UIL Class 1A State Golf Championships.

Iraan's boys shot a 338 on the opening day and are just five shots back of Gruver (333) for second place, though just four ahead of Flatonia (342).

In the girls tournament, Iraan and Garden City are tied for third at 379, which is within shouting distance of second-place Memphis (370).

The team titles appear to be all but wrapped up by the Robert Lee boys (313) and Baird girls (358). Robert Lee is the defending boys champ.

What's left is today's second and final round at Morris Williams Golf Course, with the top three team finishers earning medals. Both of Iraan's teams will get to play in today's top group after playing with the No. 2s on Monday as regional runners-up.

"It's awesome," Iraan head coach Karon Martinson said. "It's exciting for both teams. With the boys, we've been here in this position. The girls, it's been their goal to get a medal this year and it's in their hands. We get to play with the top players (today) and we know what we have to do."

Iraan's boys have a tradition of strong finishes at the state tournament, including titles in 2004 and 2005 and a runner-up showing last season with a strong second-day push.

The Iraan girls were fifth last year and have three players back from that squad.

Leading the way for the girls team is the top individual for either - Jennifer Perry. The senior is making her fourth consecutive state appearance and stands in a fifth-place medalist tie at 81.

"I talked to Jennifer and she really wants to take a medal home with her," Martinson said. "You know she's going to go out and do her part."

Behind Perry was a 98 from Kymberlin Conn, who was the Bravette making her first state appearance. Kacee Burks (99) and Lakota Everett (101) both returned and shot solid enough scores to keep the Bravettes in the hunt for medal contention.

For Iraan's boys, Todd Hooker and Brandon Shipman both fired 80 and are tied for eighth in the medalist standings.

Call Cade, who won the Region I-1A medalist title, shot an 88 that he'll try to improve on the final day while fellow senior Kuaid Fuentes had a 90. Dillon Dees had a 93 that did not count for team purposes.

Iraan's boys rallied last year and cut 19 strokes from the first round to the second to earn the silver medal. Perhaps a repeat is in the cards.

"We didn't turn out our best scores, but some of our younger guys stepped up and that was good," Martinson said. "Hopefully we're going to be able to live up to what we said before and handle the pressure. We talked the talk before the tournament now let's see if we can walk the walk. I know they'll be ready and I have all the confidence in the world that they're going to show up and do their part."