Regis Jesuit Girls Claim 5A Prep Trophy

Cheyenne Mountain Repeats as Class 4A Titleist

Chris Duthie

Overcoming a weather delay caused by lightning and marble-size hail, Regis Jesuit emerged victorious at the Class 5A Girl’s Golf Championship, held last week at Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton.

Sporting a team comprised entirely of underclassmen, Regis (53-over par, 485 total) broke a three-way tie for first going into the second and final day, winning by five shots over Rock Canyon. Arapahoe was third, finishing eight strokes back. 

Individually, the title race could not have been more dramatic.

Rock Canyon senior Michelle Romano emerged as medalist after winning the extra-hole playoff against Arapahoe senior Hannah Wood, who three putted for bogey. Both finished the two-day event at 9-over 153, with Jaylee Tait (Columbine), Anna Kennedy (Legend) and Sydney Merchant (Dakota Ridge) scoring just one stroke higher.

“I’m so happy!” said Romano, who has signed to play collegiately next year at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Defending champion Calli Ringsby, a senior at Cherry Creek, finished in a tie for seventh (13-over 157). She and Wood have signed letters of intent with Stanford.

Cheyenne Mountain Wins Second Consecutive 4A Title

Cheyenne Mountain posted a 15-stroke victory at the Class 4A Girl’s Golf Championship, held just three miles away at the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs.

Cheyenne Mountain came back from third position after the first day, shot 20 strokes better and recorded an 88 over par 520 to win its second consecutive prep title. Montrose was runner up with a two-day total of 535.

Individually, top-ranked Jefferson Academy junior Jennifer Kupcho fulfilled expectations and coasted to her first state crown with a 2-over 146. It was a resounding 14-stroke margin over Valor Christian’s Andrea Ballou, who finished second.

Kupcho, who has verbally committed to play at Wake Forest, was third at state as a freshman and second a year ago.

“I had a good round Monday and I just came out and played consistent,” said Kupcho, who two weeks ago placed sixth in U.S. Women's Open Sectional Qualifying in Colorado. “I’m really excited to be a state champion. I’m really happy.”

Kupcho competed in four USGA championships in 2013 and was named the CWGA Junior Player of the Year. Last year, she went to the U.S. Women's Amateur, U.S. Girls' Junior, U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the USGA Women's State Team.

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Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.