WHEALDON ONE STROKE FROM TITLE

Ilwaco's boys golf team notched a fourth place finish at state for the second year in a row and sophomore Jack Whealdon nearly gave the Fishermen their first champion.

Whealdon shot a 5-over 77 in the final round of the tournament at North Bellingham Golf Course to finish in second place, one stroke behind the champion Dane deQuilettes of Chelan. Whealdon was tied for the lead after the first 18 holes after shooting even-par 72 on Tuesday with deQuilettes a stroke back.

Whealdon's second place finish is the highest ever for a Fishermen golfer at a state meet. Teammate and classmate Todd Oakes finished in a 4-way tie for 19th with a two-day total of 160, 12 strokes off the leader. Oakes and Whealdon finished 13th and 15th respectively as freshmen at last year's tourney.

Two other Ilwaco golfers, Tyler Johnson (88) and Tanner Bonawitz (106) did not survive the cut on day one. Kylie Lewis shot a 106 on day one to miss the girls cut by one stroke.

With their top golfers back next season and three talented freshmen-- including Whealdon's younger brother Patrick--added to the program, the Fishermen should improve on their team score of 65.5. Charles Wright Academy of Tacoma won the boys team title with 82.5 points.