HAMILTON — Tricia Joyce is within striking distance of a state championship.
The Butte Central sophomore shot an 83 Friday at the Hamilton Golf Club and is a second-place tie with Glendive’s Breilyn Riggin at the Class A State tournament. Joyce and Riggin are one shot behind Sidney’s Kaelyn Volk heading into Saturday’s final round. Results
Joyce placed second at state last year.
On the boys’ side, Butte Central junior Tyge Yelenich shot a 79 and is in a four-way tie for fourth place at the halfway point.
Max Toenjes of Hamilton shot a 3-under-par 69 on his home course to take the lead. Liam Clancy of Billings Central sits in second at 73, while Paul O’Neil of Laurel is third at 78.
Hamilton has a comfortable lead in team standings. The Broncs hit 312, and Polson is a distant second at 329. Defending champion Billings Central is tied with Laurel for third at 333.
Butte Central is holding down sixth place at 352.
Also for the Maroons, Cameron Johnson is tied for 25th place at 85. He is four shots out of the top 15, which designates All-State honors.
Gator Yelenich shot a 91, Bryan Arnold hit 97, and Dan McCloskey carded a 111.
The Sidney girls shot 369 and hold a 17-shot lead over second-place Whitefish, the defending champion.
