Sports briefs | Sports | westnewsmagazine.com

The Westminster Christian Academy Wildcats defeated Summit 4-2 to win the Class 4 District 3 crown. (Photo provided)

The Visitation Academy Vivettes registered a two-day score of 651 to make it back-to-back Class 4 state championships in high school girls’ golf. (Photo provided)

Visitation Academy did it again.

The Vivettes registered a two-day score of 651 to make it back-to-back Class 4 state championships in high school girls’ golf. This year's tournament was held at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau.

Like last year, Visitation topped St. Joseph’s Academy. The Angels team total was 654.

Visitation coach Julie Jones said her team wanted to prove last year's victory was not a fluke or a one-time thing.

"There is always pressure in golf," Jones said. "Although most of it is self-imposed. And I think in this case, that's exactly what we were dealing with. There were people that felt like we got lucky last year.

"So, validating that we weren't a wild card provided some motivation. And we had team and individual goals that provided a framework for prioritizing tasks in practice and making adjustments as we went. I think they handled all of it with purpose, passion and grace."

Dalhousie provided a good challenge for the golfers. Jones said the course superintendent and staff had Dalhousie "in amazing shape and the whole experience, from the practice round to the last putt was top-notch."

The course was set up well on day one.

"If you're a little out of position it gets tricky quick," Jones said. "But, Mother Nature really kicked it up a notch on day two. On our front 9, the wind was blowing probably 12 to 15 mph, and as we were making our turn it went to probably 18 to 20 mph. That was more than enough of a challenge."

The rivalry between the Vivettes and the Angels is a good one, Jones said.

"I think we have a good competitive relationship with St. Joe's," Jones said. "We see them a lot and they beat us a handful of times in the regular season. But we felt like we were gaining momentum headed into the latter part of the season and our district win solidified that in the girls' minds.

"Our goal was to carry that momentum all the way to a state championship."

Visitation led by 11 strokes after the first round.

That changed in the second round. The Angels made a comeback.

"Coming down the stretch, the back and forth was enough to give me heartburn," Jones said. "We were up, they were up, we were tied. Every hole it changed. Only two Viz girls were paired with St. Joe girls.

"So, they don't know what's happening in real-time. But for anyone watching online, it was a real roller coaster of emotions."

The Vivettes had three all-state finishers in the tournament. A finish in the top 15 golfers earns all honors. Sophomore Annie Rothery was ninth with a 159, senior Therese 'Reese' Robson tied for 10th with a 160 and senior Avery McLaughlin tied for 14th with a 163.

"I can't say enough good things about these girls," Jones said. "Our full squad is 15 strong and they are all incredible. I'm glad we were able to get this win for our seniors. This is their third (win) in four years, which is quite an accomplishment.

"We won Class 2 their freshman year and took second in Class 3 their sophomore year and obviously won Class 4 their junior and senior year."

The girls deserved their all-state honor, Jones said.

"Avery, Reese and Annie, in particular, have put in countless hours of training, both on and off the course," Jones said. "These finishes are the result of years of work, and seeing it all come together for them makes my coach's heart happy."

The team was thrilled to win again, Jones said.

"There was dancing, and a lot of pictures taken. They made a TikTok," Jones said. "And we had Chick-fil-A. Does it get any better?"

The program loses three seniors but Jones said "some talented sophomores" are ready to step up. Also in the wings is "a very promising freshman" in Emilia Brown.

"Beyond the wins, what stands out to me is the character that these girls show every day," Jones said. "They have built a culture of leadership, sportsmanship and faith. That is something we take pride in as much as the championships."

The Lafayette Lancers topped host Parkway South 8-2 to claim the Class 5 District 2 championship. It was Lafayette's first district title since 2007. (Photo provided)

The Lafayette Lancers, Westminster Christian Academy Wildcats and Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights all won district softball titles and quarterfinal games to advance to the state tournament.

The Lancers topped host Parkway South 8-2 to claim the Class 5 District 2 championship. It was Lafayette's first district title since 2007.

In Class 5 quarterfinal action, Lafayette defeated visiting Jackson 4-1 to reach the Four Four for the first time in 17 years. Lafayette won its eighth state championship in 2007.

The Lancers will be making their 13th appearance in the Final Four.

The Wildcats defeated Rockwood Summit 4-2 to win the Class 4 District 3 crown. The game was a rematch of the first game of the year.

Freshman Charlie Berkmeyer started and pitched into the sixth inning before sophomore Jaymison Lenk came in to get the final five outs.

The Wildcat attack was led Ella Cozad driving in two runs with Morgan Dolley and Sophia Bell added the other RBIs.

The Red Knights scored a 7-2 victory over Fort Zumwalt East to win the Class 4 District 4 title.

In the quarterfinal, Westminster scored a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Incarnate Word in the Red Knights' home field. The Wildcats scored twice in the seventh inning with two outs. Abby Milgie drove in the tying run and Berkmeyer singled home senior Allie Branstetter for what proved to be the winning run.

It will be Westminster's first trip to the Final Four in softball.

The Wildcats have a new program record of 26 wins, with a chance to add more at the state tournament in Springfield.

MICDS claimed the Class 3 District 5 championship with a convincing 25-20, 25-16, 25-21 win over Villa Duchesne. (Photo provided)

MICDS has won a district high school girls volleyball championship.

Under coach David Owens, MICDS claimed the Class 3 District 5 championship with a convincing 25-20, 25-16, 25-21 win over Villa Duchesne.

Leading the Rams was sophomore May Durill with 21 kills and freshman Izzy Chao who added 14 kills. Senior Sarah Mills recorded 34 assists.

MICDS (21-9) now moves to the sectional round. The Rams have not enjoyed a winning season since 2016.

The Marquette varsity boys take first place at the recent Warrenton Invitational. (Photo provided)

The Marquette varsity boys took first place at the recent Warrenton Invitational cross country meet.

Andrew Cook won the race with a time of 17 minutes, 20 seconds. The Mustangs also had the next three runners, with Jacob Barton finishing second in 17:26.30, Shaun Underhill claiming third in 17:33.20 and Luke Hoefferle landing in fourth in 17:41.

Skip Berkmeyer won the 32nd annual Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association championship in his first time playing in the event.

Berkmeyer, of Town & Country, is playing in senior events for the first time this year.

Berkmeyer opened the recent tournament played at Bogey Hills Country Club with a 76. However, Berkmeyer fired a 66 in the final round to end with a 142 to win by four strokes and get his name on the George F. Meyer Trophy.

Berkmeyer's name already is on the Jim Tom Blair Trophy (Metropolitan Amateur), Old Warson Cup and James S. Manion (Open) trophies.

Adding his name to the George F. Meyer Trophy gives him a sweep in winning all four of the major events.

Previously this summer, Berkmeyer won the St. Louis District Golf Association Senior Championship held at Westwood Country Club.

Berkemeyer was a 2019 inductee into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.