Cedar City sophomore RaeLee Johnson was the surprise leader after the opening day of the 4A girls golf state tournament at Sunbrook Golf Course in St. George on Wednesday.
Johnson shot a season-best 78 on Monday, an 11-stroke improvement from her Region 10 season average of 89.6. She’ll take a two-stroke lead into Thursday’s final round ahead Dixie’s returning state champion Annabelle Millard, who shot an 80 with a pair of bogeys.
Johnson shot a 91 at Sunbrook in a region match a month ago, but on Wednesday was a staggering 13 shots better on the big stage of the state tournament.
Johnson finished tied for 17th at last year’s state tournament, 46 shots behind winner Millard. She’ll be the biggest threat at a Millard repeat medalist in Round 2.
Last year, Millard shot a 1-under 71 on the first day and tore the course up with a 7-under on the second day.
Johnson tees off at 8 a.m. on Thursday, with Millard teeing off at 9 a.m. The final groups start at 10 a.m.
In the team race, Pine View is in the driver’s seat for a repeat state title after shooting a team score of 355.
Desert Hills is in second at 373 with Green Canyon in third with a 381.
Class 4A state tournament
At Sunbrook Golf Course
Team scores (Top 8)
1. Pine View, 355
2. Desert Hills, 373
3. Green Canyon, 381
4. Ridgeline, 383
5. Dixie, 395
6. Bear River, 411
7. Cedar City, 415
8. Sky View, 418
Individual results
78 — RaeLee Johnson, Cedar City
80 — Annabelle Millard, Dixie
83 — Rylee Payne, Desert Hills
84 — Maddie Fujimoto, Ridgeline
88 — Katelyn Leavitt, Pine View
88 — Hllie Wieland, Pine View
88 — Alyssa Butterfus, Pine View
90 — Avery Parker, Green Canyon
91 — Oliviah Spackman, Green Canyon
91 — Kenzi Owen, Pine View
94 — Tylee Bennett, Bear River
96 — Iris Pead, Dixie
96 — Brooklyn Rhodes, Desert Hills
96 — Ellie Johnson, Hurricane
97 — Savannah Ranson, Desert Hills
97 — Lucy Dixon, Desert Hills
97 — Lilly Swink, Ridgeline
98 — Avery Anderson, Green Canyon
99 — Macy Sickler, Sky View
99 — Kathryn Sandberg, Desert Hills