To cap off its 2024 spring athletic season, Yelm High School’s girls golf team saw three Tornados, juniors Alexa Wasankari and Lucy Mohrweis and sophomore Melony Blankenship compete in the WIAA’s 3A state championships on May 21 at the Eagles Pride Golf Course in DuPont.
Wasankari finished her day-one round of golf by shooting a 98, which barely missed the cut to qualify for day two by three strokes. Mohrweis shot a 100 on day one of the championships, while Blankenship shot a 110. Freshman Brooke Blankenship served as a third alternate for the state tournament, but did not play.
“All three girls have shown so much growth from the start of the season and leading up to the state tournament. These girls put in so much work during the regular season and made a goal for themselves to make it to state together, and they did. I am so beyond proud of them for their hard work and dedication to the sport and to each other. What an accomplishment for them,” Yelm’s head coach McKenzie DeVore said. “This was such a fun season, and I’m sad to see it end. All eight of the girls I had on the team are amazing individuals and made the season the best one yet.”
In addition to the three state competitions, DeVore was voted as the South Sound Conference’s coach of the year. She earned the honor in the Tornados’ final season in the 3A SSC, as Yelm athletics is set to enter the 4A South Puget Sound League (SPSL).
“Being named coach of the year was definitely not expected,” DeVore said. “I am so honored the other coaches in our league voted for me to receive the award. I look up to all of them so much and appreciate the huge compliment. I will miss all of them next year when we move to 4A.
“But I would never have earned the award if it wasn’t for my amazing team putting in the time and effort it takes to get better at golf every day,” DeVore added. “I am very excited for the future of YHS girls golf.”
DeVore was proud of how her athletes performed in the 3A state championships, stating the three state participants played very well considering the pouring rain, the blowing wind and the cold temperature. With the three Tornados returning to YHS in 2025, the coach said she cannot wait to continue to watch them grow as individuals and as golfers.
She added that with the program’s golf season switching to the fall in 2025 due to YHS’s reclassification to 4A, several multisport athletes will have to make decisions on which sports to pursue.
“Our players who also play soccer will have to decide which sport they are going to play,” DeVore said. “Obviously, I want all of them back on the golf team, but they need to make the best decision for themselves, and I will support any decision they make.”
