Prep Golf Championships -- Disqualification Bumps Two-Time Champion Hehn

PUYALLUP - Andrea Hehn of South Whidbey High School won't win a third straight state golf championship.

The two-time state champion was disqualified yesterday after the first round of the Class AA tournament at Lipoma Firs Golf Club.

Hehn gave her scorer a wrong number - a par 4 instead of a bogie 5 on hole No. 18. After attesting to her final score, she self-reported the mistake and was disqualified after signing an 82 card.

"Instead of a medal," tournament director Tim Thomsen said, "Andrea will get a sportsmanship medallion for her honesty".

Sedro-Woolley's Kelli Kamamura had yesterday's low score - a 73 on the par-72 course after 18 holes.

Kamamura's score was six strokes better than runner-up Terra Lawson of Colville, who had a 79, and one shot better than Class AA boys leader Jason Cupit of Peninsula.

The field was cut to the top 40 and ties as players headed into today's final 18 holes to determine individual and team champions.

Brenda Hall (East Valley of Spokane), 1994 runner-up, had an 85. Mark Morris' Robin Schulz, fourth-place finisher last spring, finished at 90.

Hehn won the Class A state title as a sophomore, then won the AA crown last year when South Whidbey moved up to Class AA.

Class AA boys

PUYALLUP - Peninsula's Jason Cupit was the first-round leader in the Class AA boys state golf tournament, which began yesterday at par-72 Lipoma Firs Golf Club.

Cupit had an 18-hole score of 74 as the field was reduced to the top 40 and ties for today's final 18 holes.

Peninsula moved into strong contention for the team title as Matt Harnish tied for second at the midway point with a 75.

Four other individuals had 75s: Seattle Prep's Kyle Taylor, Sedro-Woolley's Joe VanSickle, Barry Walters of West Valley of Yakima and Jason Whitney of West Valley of Spokane.

Team scoring is computed upon completion of 36 holes. Clarkston was the 1994 team champion.

Class AAA boys

SPOKANE - Snohomish's Eric Toomey and Bellarmine's Brian Coury were tied for first after the first round of the two-day Class AAA boys state golf championships.

Toomey and Coury each shot 74 yesterday over 18 holes on the par-72 Creek at Qualchan Golf Course.

Ryan LaVoie of Pasco was third at one stroke back, while four players were tied at 76. They were Dusty Brett (Bellarmine Prep); Lucas Horrobin (Oak Harbor); Brian Fong (Mead); and John Stehlik (Prairie).

Newport's Lee Evans, North Central's Kyle Kelly and Everett's Tom Niva were all tied at 77. Another four players were tied at 78, and four were tied at 79.

Evans also is a starting third baseman and pitcher for Newport's top-ranked baseball team, which has a semifinal date in Spokane Friday against Kelso.

Aaron Kerth of Jefferson was in a four-way tie for 11th with a 78. Kentridge's Joe Valente had a 79.

The field was cut to the top 40 and ties yesterday as players headed into today's final 18 holes to determine individual and team champions.

Class AAA girls

SPOKANE - Tumwater's Mendy Cooper held a one-stroke lead over Everett's Kylie Smith after the opening round of the two-day Class AAA girls state golf championships.

Cooper shot a 76 and Smith a 77 yesterday over 18 holes on the par-73 Downriver Golf Course.

Taya Battistella of Richland was in third at 79 and Angie Parker of Everett's Cascade High was fourth at 80. Issaquah's Shelly Russell and Ferris' Bridget Johnson were tied for 81, followed by Kelso's Erin Peck at 82.

Four players were tied at 84: Courtney Lyckles (Timberline); Britney Holt (Mead); Amy Secker (Battle Ground); and Hillary Prugh (Ferris).

Jaclyn lBeaudreau of Decatur was in a three-way tie for 12th with an 85.

Today's final round will determine individual and team champions.

Class A-B boys

YAKIMA - Tres Kirkebo of Steilacoom turned in a 74 for a two-stroke lead after the first day of the Class A-B boys state golf tournament at the par-71 Yakima Elks Golf Course.

Dan Cinqualbres of Elma and Ryan Whitaker of Cle Elum both had a 76 yesterday.

Foster's Joe Korn, runner-up in last year's tournament as a freshman, and teammate Bill Zuvela were in a group of four with 78s. Mike O'Leary, from Lakeside High of Nine Mile Falls, had a 77.

Class A-B girls

YAKIMA - Krissy Rojecki of Vashon fired a 75 on the par-70 SunTides Golf Course yesterday in the first round of the Class A-B girls state golf tournament.

Rojecki had a nine-stroke lead over Stacey Harnasch of Oroville and Suzanne Robbel of Tacoma's Charles Wright Academy.