Grant Union Prospector Duane Stokes competes in John Day earlier in the season. Stokes will compete at the OSAA State Golf Championships in Banks on Monday and Tuesday, May 14-15.

The Grant Union Prospector boys golf team earned their first trip to state in four years at the May 7-8 Special District 3 tournament played at the Pendleton Country Club.

The team shot a 750 for second place out of eight 3A/2A/1A teams, edged out by Heppner which placed first with 713.

“I’m extremely proud of the kids,” said Grant Union head coach Ron Lundbom. “They are extremely excited to go to state.”

He said the playing conditions were “perfect” with 80-degree weather and light wind.

Burns placed third with 759, and Echo placed fourth with 803, after breaking a tie with Imbler.

The top individual boys qualifying for state were Riley Lankford of Nixyaawii (152) in first, Cade Gorham of Imbler (163) in second, Brycen Locke of Enterprise (163) in third and Logan Burright of Heppner/Ione (171) in fourth.

Grant Union senior Duane Stokes finished seventh out of 47 competitors, with 90 on day one and 87 for day two.

“I feel like I underperformed, but I still placed seventh,” Stokes said. “I think it’s awesome to finally make it to state in golf, and finally be able to go as a team this year.”

Other members of the Grant Union boys team are freshman Devon Stokes (187) in 11th place, junior Garrett Lenz (190) in 13th place, sophomore Kellen Shelley (196) in 17th and freshman Parker Manitsas (258) in 39th place.

Lundbom said he was impressed with Lenz’s performance after joining the team late in the season.

Grant Union had three girls competing, including sophomore Kaytlyn Wells who shot 210, finishing in 13th place for individuals out of 36. She was in sixth place on day one, scoring 100, and she scored 110 on day two. Sophomore Emily Springer scored 254, and sophomore Maddy Way scored 262.

Wells said the tournament went well.

“I like getting to talk to a lot of people and see their techniques and perspective of golf,” she said. “It was really impressive to golf with Tori Suto.”

Suto of Wallowa/Joseph won the individual competition with a two-day total of 147, scoring a 70 on day one.

Girls teams qualifying for state are first-place Heppner/Ione with 720, second-place La Grande with 822 and third-place Baker with 868. The girls had 4A/3A/2A/1A teams competing.

Top individuals qualifying for state were Suto in first, Sasha Keown of Heppner/Ione (170) in second, Sophie Grant of Heppner/Ione (174) in third, Nichole Prophetor of Heppner/Ione (178) in fourth and Paige Pierce of Baker/Powder Valley (187) in fifth.

Wells said she plans to return to golf next season.

“I’m looking forward to going back and doing even better and improving my score,” she said.

The top four boys teams and top four individual boys will compete at state, as well as the top three girls teams and top five girls.

The OSAA State Golf Championship tournament is scheduled for May 14-15 at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks, the time to be determined.

Grant Union boys district results

Duane Stokes, 177

Devon Stokes, 187

Kellen Shelley, 190

Garrett Lenz, 190

Parker Manitsas, 258

Grant Union girls district results

Kaytlyn Wells, 210

Emily Springer, 254

Maddy Way, 262