Salisbury’s girls golf team is in good standing after one day at the NCHSAA 1A/2A state championship at Foxfire Golf Club in Pinehurst. The Hornets have a commanding 29-shot lead on the rest of the field and Isabella Rusher was 4-over to hold a one-shot lead on a chilly, wet Monday.
Salisbury shot 246 as a team to amass a commanding edge on second-place Croatan (275) and can repeat as state champs today.
“246 is a great number for perfect conditions,” Salisbury coach Dale Snyder said. “To shoot that number on a day like today is amazing.”
Rusher totaled a 75 after 18 holes and birdied Hole 10 in blustery, unforgiving conditions. The sophomore leads Elkin’s Mary Francis Hall by a shot.
“In conditions like today, I just had to remind myself to stay calm,” Rusher said. “That was the main thing that propelled me to do my best.”
Freshman Grace Yatawara shot 78 and Madeline Hoskins and Brooke Smith checked in with 93s. Yatawara had a 39 on the front and back nine.
“It was definitely a tough round,” said Yatawara, who had the third-best score of the day. “But the whole team played very well.”
The Hornets, who last repeated in 2005-2006, won by 33 shots last season. Piedmont third with 280 and Hendersonville fourth at 284.
Rusher tees off at 11 a.m. today, following Yatawara (10:50), Hoskins (10:40) and Smith (9:30). The weather is expected to be wet and windy again.