The Powell High School golf teams closed out the first half of the 2019 season with a pair of top 10 finishes at last week’s Buffalo Invitational.

The Panther boys finished seventh in the nine-team field with a two-day total of 753; Sheridan took the top spot at 659, followed by Thunder Basin at 676.

“Buffalo is always a very good tournament that has great competition on one of the finest courses in the state,” said PHS head coach Troy Hildebrand. Between quick greens and other factors, most coaches think the course plays about five shots tougher than most, Hildebrand said.

“I was very pleased with our players this week and the progress that they have made over the first half of our season,” he said.

The Lady Panthers’ lone representative, senior Mycah Wainscott, took eighth-place. Wainscott shot a 101 on Thursday, Aug. 29, but battled back Friday to shoot a 94. Maria Farnum of Thunder Basin was the girls’ champion at 83-80.

“Mycah didn’t have a great first day, but hung in there to stay near the top,” Hildebrand said. “Friday she played much better to sneak in at eighth in a talented field that included both Gillette schools and Sheridan. Mycah will really be focusing on her short game and putting over the next few weeks and I really believe that she can be under 85 in many of her rounds.”

Crandell Sanders was back in action for the Panthers in Buffalo, and the senior didn’t disappoint, carding back-to-back 83s to finish in a tie for fourth. Hardy Johnson of Thermopolis shot 78-67 to earn medalist honors for the boys.

“Crandell really came on this week and played the way our team needs him to as our senior leader,” Hildebrand said. “He put together two very solid rounds and has some great things to build off of down the stretch of the season. He was pleased with his play and I think this was exactly what he needed for his confidence.”

George Higgins continued his consistent play for the Panthers, shooting 86-89 to finish just outside the top 10.

“This was George’s first time seeing the Buffalo course and he handled it pretty well to keep two rounds under 90,” Hildebrand said. “That was slightly higher than he had in the first two tournaments, but George is still playing very good golf.”

The Panthers’ Steven Stambaugh shot rounds of 98-96.

“This was a great weekend for Steven on a new course,” Hildebrand said of the freshman. “He played well both days, and each week he just continues to improve and figure out more and more about how to get around in tournament golf. Steven has really established himself as our third man on varsity.”

Sophomore Brandon Wentz also made great strides in Buffalo, improving by 10 to 15 shots from the start of the season to shoot 108-110.

“He [Wentz] has worked hard during practice and it showed this week,” Hildebrand said, adding that “playing like that on a difficult course is a great sign.”

Senior Yogi Sullivan shot 115 in the opening round then shaved a couple strokes Friday for a 113.

“Finding consistency is the key for Yogi as we move into the second half of the season,” Hildebrand said.

It will be a busy week for the PHS golfers, with tournaments in Lovell today (Thursday) and Thermopolis on Friday.

“We are really into the stretch run of our season and it will be important for us to find ways to put the best five players together in three weeks when we head to the state tournament in Afton,” Hildebrand said.