Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

Zoei Zbaraschuk is getting used to this state tournament thing.

The Sequim High School junior earned her second top-10 finish at the class 2A state tournament in as many years after shooting a two-round 166 at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima on May 27-28.

Zbaraschuk opened the tourney with a round of 84, tying her for 12th in the 80-member field.

She moved up three spots with a round of 82 on Thursday for a ninth-place finish overall, one spot short of the medal stand.

"Zoei definitely wanted to be in the top five," Sequim coach Garrett Smithson said, "but she's happy with top tens in back-to-back years."

Last year, as a sophomore, Zbaraschuk placed seventh overall.

Claire Rachor of Bellingham won medalist honors in Yakima on the girls' side while Bellingham took the team title.

Teammate Kim Duce joined Sequim's three boys golfers after missing the first day cut. She finished tied for 67th overall after a round of 114 on Wednesday morning.

"The hardest thing was, she knows she could have made the cut," Smithson said.

The greens in Yakima weren't the only things cut close last week, as each of Sequim's three boys golfers each barely missed the first day cut at the 2A state tournament.

Freshman Ryan O'Mera shot an 82, good for a tie for 43rd overall and just one shot off the first day cut.

O'Mera shot a 10-over 45 on the front nine holes, then warmed up to an even-par 37 on the back side.

"It's nothing but experience for the guy," Smithson said.

Senior Colby Rude, a three-time state qualifier, was one stroke back and two shots off the first day cut.

Fellow senior Chad Quinet was two back of Rude with a round of 85 in his first state tourney, tied for 55th overall.

Matt Rawitzer of Squalicum won the class 2A boys' medalist crown while Lynden won the boys' team title.



Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.