Golf: Lone Peak wins Class B state title 

By Jack Reaney ASSOCIATE EDITOR 

It’s not the first state championship for golf coach Jenny Wilcynski, after the Lone Peak High School girls won Class C in 2016. But this one, she says, is a little sweeter.  

The Big Horns moved into Class B this year, facing tougher competition from larger schools across most sports. The girls varsity golf team didn’t shy away from the challenge—the squad of four sophomores completed an undefeated season with a commanding triumph at the Class B state tournament on May 14 and 15 at Marias Valley Golf and Country Club in Shelby.

“It’s a bit surreal,” coach Wilcynski said. She spoke with EBS on the phone Thursday morning, still tired from returning late to Big Sky after winning Lone Peak’s first Class B state championship in any sport.  

“The team dynamics were just awesome. Everybody was so supportive of each other and their teammates… They were able to cherish that win,” Wilcynski said.

As the newcomer to Montana Class B this season, her team didn’t know what to expect from the competition.  

“And they didn’t know what to expect from us,” she said.  

Lone Peak won the state tournament by 27 strokes over two 18-hole rounds. The week before, they won their southeast division by 42 strokes, in just one 18-hole round.  

John Hannahs, Lone Peak athletic director and assistant golf coach, knew the state tournament would include a lot of other competitive teams that they hadn’t yet seen. 

“I think we came in as somewhat of an unknown for some of the other teams,” he said. Entering state came with “unspoken pressure,” but the girls seemed to have no trouble playing their game and treating it like any other tournament. He believed the girls had the tools to win. 

“To prove it on a class B level is just a really special feeling,” Hannahs said.  

Leydig finishes second, Kamieniarz enjoys breakout round with top-10 finish 

After the first of two 18-role rounds, the Big Horns held a 16-stroke lead over Florence-Carlton High School and a 24-stroke lead over third-place Shepherd High School.  

“So, we felt like that’s a pretty good cushion. Nobody had a lights-out day. Everybody had certain holes that were great,” Wilcynski said.  

After day one, sophomore Cate Leydig was one shot out of the individual lead. She shot an 82, one stroke behind Three Forks High School senior Ari Judd.  

Wilcynski said sophomores Dylan Manka, Olivia Kamieniarz and Maddy Wilcynski all played to their typical strength on the first day.  

“Sixteen shots is a lot for teams to have to make up, but anything is possible,” coach Wilcynski said. “We basically told the girls… if everybody plays how they did on day one, we’ll be successful.”  

On the second day, Maddy Wilcynski shot a 106, four strokes better. She improved on the back nine for both rounds, shooting 61 and 49 on the first day, and then 61 and 45 on the second. The 45-stroke round was her lowest nine-hole score of the season. 

Manka was steady on the first day, shooting 97, and had some trouble in the second round, shooting 103. Still, Manka finished 20th overall.

After a 102-stroke opening round, Kamieniarz broke out on the second day, shooting 39 on the front nine, a personal best, and 46 on the back.

“Olivia was kind of the one we have been waiting for,” Wilcynski said. “Her swing looks amazing… That’s 17 shots better than day one, which is absolutely cool. We were so excited for her.”  

Kamieniarz finished 10th overall in the state, bolstered by her second round, shooting 85.  

Leydig played in the foursome of front runners. Entering the second round one stroke behind Judd, Wilcynski said Leydig stayed steady. She turned in an 82 on day one, and an 83 on day two.  

Leydig was solid, but Judd couldn’t be beat. Wilcynski said the Three Forks senior was fun to watch. Judd finished with a 78 and won the Class B individual title by a 6-stroke margin. Leydig finished second overall, her second straight season on the state podium.   

“[Judd] was throwing some great darts, shots right at the pin,” Wilcynski said. “That’s hard to compete with… when somebody is on fire like that.”  

Three Forks surged from fifth into third place, but nobody could catch Lone Peak’s four. 

“These girls are four sophomores. They’re friends, they’re competitors. I’m so proud of them all,” Wilcynski said. “It’s awesome. To be state champs, I want them to be so proud of that. They earned it.”  

Because Class B teams can bring five golfers and use the four best scores, and Lone Peak rosters only four varsity golfers, they all needed to perform. One individual blow-up could cost the team. But they all stepped up.  

Hannahs said it’s an amazing feeling for Lone Peak to win a Class B state title.  

“I am so proud and happy for the kids,” Hannahs said. “They’ve put in the work, they’ve worked so hard.”  

Hannahs commended Wilcynski, who has coached for nine years, bringing experience as a PGA professional and working to secure equipment and training resources—Hannahs thanked Moonlight Basin and the Big Sky Golf Course.  

“She’s just always there, and her consistency I think has been really helpful,” Hannahs said of Wilcynski. 

He’s most proud to see success for a group of hard-working kids who love to golf and have fun even when they’re not at their best.  

“I loved watching them go out and compete with a smile on their face and just have fun out there. And regardless of the finish, they were doing something that they enjoyed,” Hannahs said.  

“It was so much fun,” he added. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet.” 

The young team will look to repeat next season. Wilcynski said it’s fun to think about the future, especially now that the Big Horns have two years of state tournament experience.  

“We look forward to more success,” Wilcynski said. “But enjoying it now, because this is a big deal.”