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Only at Whitefish High School would a team be disappointed with a second-place finish at the State Tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs moved up from third in 2004 to capture second place this year behind the much improved Polson Pirates.

"The girls were really disappointed with their runner-up status, but I remain very proud of them," said Coach Terry Nelson. "They beat everyone in the state this year, including all the Class AA schools and Class A Champions Polson. Their record over the season is very impressive. Maresa Jenson won four different tournaments, Chelsea Ray one and Alex Micklewright was in the top-five five different times."

Jenson and Ray finished fourth and sixth in the field of 76 lady golfers at the state tournament. Both repeated as All-State golfers this season, and for Jenson, this was her fourth consecutive top-five finish at state.

Jenson was very consistent, with rounds of 84, 82 over the South Course at Whitefish Lake Golf Course. She harnessed her putting stroke and coupled that with great ball striking over the two days.

"The course played pretty tough for the girls, with three putts becoming very common during both rounds," Nelson said.

Sophomore Ray's 82 was within two shots of the lead after the first round of play, and she finished in the top 10.

"Chelsea is such a good athlete and will continue to get better and better each year," Nelson said. "This is her second consecutive All-State honor, and she's very capable of winning at least one individual state title in the next two years."

Micklewright, a two-time All State player the past couple of years, had a difficult time controlling her putter during the tournament and finished 14th this year.

"Alex is such a good ball striker and is capable of scoring low when her putter doesn't balk," Nelson said. "She's a quiet fierce competitor".

Senior Porsche Erekson capped her four years on the bulldog team with a 44th-place finish at state. Erekson had some of her career-best scores this year, including an 89 at the Helena Invitational.

Freshman Quinn Micklewright played well enough to have her score count toward the team total and second-place finish.

"Quinn was easily the most improved girl on the 2005 season Lady Bulldog golf team," Nelson said. "She's got the skill, fire and desire to become an outstanding golfer. Quinn improved from scores in the 120s this summer to an average score in the 90s this fall."

The 2005 version of Lady Bulldogs represented the local golf tradition very well. Next year's squad returns experienced players Chelsea Ray, Quinn Micklewright, Hillary Johann and a group of very talented freshmen girls that will help the Bulldogs compete next season.

All three senior girls — Jenson, Alex Micklewright and Erekson — have offers to play college golf if they choose to do so.