Senior golfer qualifies for state for 3rd season

PRYOR — When someone scores three goals in soccer or hockey, it’s called a hat trick. Sallisaw senior golfer Avery Haywood made her own unique hat trick.

Haywood, a senior, qualified for state for the third straight season after tying for the regional title with a 77, but she officially ended up being the regional runner-up after losing in a playoff.

“I was extremely happy that I qualified for state again,” Haywood said. “Senior year season has been going great, so I was confident that I would do well at regionals.”

Haywood, who also made state as a sophomore and a junior, is glad she will get to return for state one last time.

“It is kind of a bittersweet moment to go back to state just because I know that it is the last tournament of my high school career, but I am excited to have the opportunity to return,” she said.

Nothing would make the Sallisaw senior golfer happy than to be crowned the state champion at the end of Day 2 of the Class 4A State Tournament, which will take place Monday and Tuesday at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club in Blanchard where she will be joined by Muldrow senior Claire Tabor — who also qualified for state Wednesday at the Class 4A Regional Tournament at Wolf Mountain Country Club west of Poteau.

“It would mean the world to me,” Haywood said. “I have put so much work into it, and I have had an amazing support system from my family, friends and coaches.”

There’s something else that Haywood could earn, and that is All-State status. If she is one of the top two seniors from the east side at state, she will be named an All-Stater and will be on the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State East Golf Team and will play in the 2024 OCA Golf Tournament during All-State Week in the early part of the last week of July.

“I would love to have the opportunity to make the All-State Team and be able to represent the east,” she said.

Unfortunately, Haywood was the only Lady Diamonds golfer to make state at Wednesday’s regional tournament as Zurri Knight shot a 126, while C.C. Pearson carded a 140.

Although the Sallisaw senior golfer will be the lone Lady Diamond at state, she is still excited for the opportunity.

“I am extremely excited to go to state next week,” Haywood said. “Being in a playoff round for regional champion of the northeast just made it that more surreal and exciting for me. I have all the support I need to get through the two rounds, and I am honored to be able to represent Sallisaw.”