Highland’s Crist, Canton’s Taylor finish in top 11 at state golf tournament, Cougars take fourth as team

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Morgan Crist and the Highland girls golf team rebounded nicely Tuesday, and they have the hardware to prove it.

Crist, a junior, shaved 12 strokes off her first-round total by shooting an 8-over 80 and climbing into a fifth-place tie individually at the Class 1 state golf tournament at Crown Pointe Golf Club. At the same time, she spearheaded a charge that left the Cougars tied for fourth with a 788 total.

Duchesne won the team title with a 745 total. Monroe City took seventh at 859.

Crist, who was five strokes better on the front nine, made birdie on the par-5 11th and then closed her round with back-to-back pars to shot 4-over 40 on both sides. She finished with a 172 total, tying South Harrison’s Abby Owens.

Crist is now a two-time state medalist, having finished third as a sophomore, and was joined on the all-state team by Canton senior Hanna Taylor, who finished 11th at 180. Taylor’s round included a birdie on the par-5 11th and a chip-in for eagle on the par-4 14th.

Highland freshman Ava Hudson finished 29th individually at 198, while sophomore Josie Murphy was 31st at 200. Cougars senior Natalie Bowen posted a 218.

Monroe City was led by junior Ava Potterfield with a 210, followed by junior Anna Lemongelli at 214, junior Kyndal Benson at 219, junior Reagan Cheek at 222 and sophomore Camryn Hays at 225.

South Shelby’s Sofia Eleazarraraz tied for 31st at 200, while the Lady Birds’ Charlie Roush posted a 209 and Hannah Gaines carded a 214. Canton’s Raelyn Meerida shot a 210.