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Van Middlesworth headed to state for Tonganoxie girls golf

By Shawn F. Linenberger - | Oct 16, 2024

Doug Sandburg

Tonganoxie High’s Paityn Van Middlesworth gets ready to tee off Monday during a Class 4A regional at Fort Scott. Van Middlesworth tied for 10th, which helped her qualify for state as an individual. The 4A state championships are next Monday and Tuesday at Hesston Golf Course in Hesston.

Tonganoxie will have representation next week at the Class 4A state golf championships.

Paityn Van Middlesworth tied for 10th place at Monday’s 4A regional at Fort Scott.

Though THS didn’t finish high enough to qualify as a team, Van Middlesworth was among the Top 5 individuals not on a state-qualifying team. Those five earn individual berths to state, which will be next Monday and Tuesday in Hesston.

Baldwin won the meet with a low score of 385. Tonganoxie finished fifth with a 469.

Gretchen Meitler

Tonganoxie freshman May Stephen lines up a putt at Hole No. 3 recently in a tournament at Falcon Lakes.

Van Middlesworth shot a 103, while teammate Lydia Rafols placed 20th with a 116.

THS coach Doug Sandburg is eager to see how Van Middlesworth can do at the state meet.

“She’s really finished the season well,” Sandburg said about Van Middlesworth, noting that she has finished Top 10 in her last five tournaments.

Tonganoxie has several golfers this year who were picking up the clubs for the first time. The squad only loses one senior in Rafols, a golfer Sandburg said will be missed.

“She’s been around for four years … It’s been fun to see her grow,” Sandburg said, noting that Rafols “really stepped up” in playing four 18-hole tournaments this season.

The program gets one last shot at the postseason this year with Van Middlesworth, but Sandburg also is excited for the future after this year’s squad gained ample experience.

“The scores may not reflect it all the time how much they’ve worked and how much better they’re getting,” Sandburg said. “But I think the program is in a good spot and if these girls will continue to work together and put in the time, I think we have good things to come in the future.

“I look forward to being around and guiding them on that adventure.”

REGIONAL RESULTS

Team scores

1. Baldwin, 385; 2. Bishop Miege, 401; 3. Eudora, 414; 4. Fort Scott, 445; 5. Tonganoxie, 469; 6. Ottawa, 473.

THS individual results

10. (tie) Paityn Van Middlesworth, 103; 20. Lydia Rafols, 116; 24. Julia Staples, 120; 31. (tie) May Stephens, Tonganoxie, 130; 36. Madyson Leffert, 147.