T-Birds top Bearcats by one stroke in first 18-hole match

Every stroke mattered for Tumwater and W.F. West on Wednesday at Newaukum Valley, where the Thunderbirds beat the Bearcats by just one stroke in a 427-428 18-hole victory.

Baylor Olson led the T-Birds with an 83, while Braeden Konrad and Liam Gustafson were right behind him with an 84 apiece. Easton Konrad added an 87, and Mason Meling rounded out the Tumwater scorers with an 89.

W.F. West’s Jax Potter finished as the match medalist with a nine-over 81, and Jamie Conzatti finished just one stroke back at 82. Emmett Goodman added an 87, and Fox Rogerson and Gage Grishman both added 89s.

“The boys tried to persevere through a couple of rain squalls,” W.F. West coach Matt Klovdahl said. “And they did pretty well considering their time in the conditions … We’re looking forward to another match on Wednesday.”

Both teams are back in action next Wednesday, Oct. 8, in another 18-hole match. W.F. West will host Black Hills at Newaukum Valley, and Tumwater will welcome Shelton to Tumwater Valley.