Eager to test themselves against many of the top prep golfers in the state of Colorado, three members of the Montezuma-Cortez High School golf team traveled to Colorado Springs to compete in the Colorado Class 3A State Golf Tournament Oct. 7-8.

Leading the way for the Panthers at the two-day tournament, which was held at the United States Air Force Academy on Eisenhower Golf Course, was freshman Thayer Plewe, who tied for 13th place overall with a two-round score of 12-over-par.

Plewe’s two-round total was defined by consistent play, as the up-and-coming prep star fired a first round total of 78 before following up that score with an identical 78 in the second round.

Also cracking the top 20 of the individual standings for M-CHS was senior Blake Keetch, who tied for 18th overall after shooting a score of 77 in the first round and a score of 83 in the second round.

Rounding out M-CHS’s competitors was Dolores High School junior JJ Brunner, who finished 69th overall thanks to rounds of 93 and 94. Brunner’s performance culminated an impressive season that was defined by significant improvement and career-best performances.

M-CHS finished tied for 7th in the team standings with a combined score of 71-over-par. Lutheran High School won the team title at the Class 3A State Golf Tournament with a combined score of 34-over-par.

Thirteen total teams competed at state, and with M-CHS’ region win secured two weeks ago, it is one of the most successful seasons in the gold team’s history.