M-ettes Take Third at State, Bishop Ninth for Mustangs

The Malta Girls Golf Team became the latest M-ette team to bring home team hardware last Wednesday, May 17, after placing third at the 2023 State B Golf Meet.

The three day event was held at the Marias Valley Golf and Country Club in Shelby. It started with practice rounds on Monday, May 15, continued with day one on Tuesday, May 16, and concluded on Wednesday, May 17.

"It feels pretty good," Malta Head Coach Kate Webb said. "The kids worked hard for it and in the short amount of time that we had, it was pretty awesome that the kids were able to come out well on the other side and do what they did in that amount of time."

Mustang senior Kaden Bishop was ninth overall individually in the boys meet.

"He had a great tournament," Coach Webb said. "That was his best finish since he has been with us at a state tournament."

Sophomore Brittney Sorlie was the highest placing M-ette, taking home 15th place in the girls meet.

The M-ettes were third with a total gross of 254 over par. The team was 132 over on day one and 125 over par on day two. Shelby won the meet by going 223 over par and Jefferson County was second going 226 strokes over par. Three Forks and Thompson Falls tied for fourth going 270 over par.

The placing earned Malta it's first girls trophy wince the M-ettes won the 2012 State B Tournament. That year's team consisted of Lauren Buechler, Kori Kindle, McKenna Levesque, Paige Heikens, Sadie Stiles, and Sascha Cole.

The Mustangs were tenth as a team going 152 strokes over par (77 over on day one and 75 on day two). Anaconda won the meet going 68 over par, Jefferson County was second going 71 over par, and Columbus was third going 102 over par.

Bishop led all Malta golfers, taking ninth in the boys meet with a total of 160 strokes. He had 80 strokes on day one and 80 on the second day.

"He did awesome and we are pretty proud of the work that he put in," Coach Webb said.

Sorlie, who placed 15th, had 208 strokes. She had 105 strokes on day one and 102 strokes on day two.

"That's her personal best that she ended with on that second day," Coach Webb said. "So, we are pretty proud of her. She has put a lot of work into it over the summer and throughout the course of the year."

Coach Webb also noticed that Sorlie had a positive mood throughout the event.

"She was just positive and excited the whole way around," Coach Webb said.

M-ette junior Sydney Gibbs tied for 20th with 208 strokes. She had 106 strokes on day one and 102 strokes on day two.

M-ette freshman Kylie Bishop tied for 26th overall with a total of 211 strokes. She had 105 strokes on day one and 106 on day two.

M-ette senior Kennedy Koss tied for 32nd with 219 strokes. She had 105 strokes on day one and 114 strokes on day two.

"She won't be with us next year but she had a really good tournament," Coach Webb said. "She came back at the end of her first day and crushed her back 9 with a great score."

M-ette sophomore Kyann Bergos tied for 37th with a total of 223 strokes. She had 117 strokes on day one, but only 106 on day two.

Mustang freshman Kellen Murray was 46th with a total of 181 strokes. He had 89 strokes day one and 92 on day two.

Senior Camryn Mears tied for 50th with a total of 188 strokes. He had 94 strokes on day one and 94 on day two.

"Camryn shot his personal best at state which was awesome" Coach Webb said. "We wish we could have had him for more than just this year because he excelled exceptionally this year for the time we had him."

Hunter Stolem was 64th with a total of 203 strokes. He had 106 strokes on day one and 97 on day two.

Trooper Stiles was 69th with a total of 223 strokes. He had 102 strokes on day one and 121 on day two.