Consistency carried Falcon girls golfer Jenna Kaik at the state 2A girls golf tournament May 22-23.

The junior golfer returned to the Lake Spanaway Golf Course and finished in 26th place.

Behind straight drives and sure putts, Kaik finished the first round of 18 holes with 97 strokes. The total tied her for 28th place after the first day of the state tournament, but it was another goal — making it to the second round — Kaik crossed off her list.

Last year as a sophomore, Kaik qualified for the state tournament, but was eliminated after the first round. Back in 2011, she shot a first round score of 104 strokes.

How time flies, much like Kaik’s chips and drives. One year later, Kaik shaved seven strokes off her total to make the second round cut.

Kaik dropped two strokes off her second round score for a 95 and 26th finish overall. Familiarity with the course helped, despite a torrential rain. Cherokee Kim from Steilacoom High School (only 11 miles from the Lake Spanaway Golf Course) won the girls golf title with a total score of 153 strokes.

“She was pretty consistent. She was playing her game,” said Falcon head girls golf coach Tom Sage. “It was just a tougher course.”

“I’m very proud of her.”

Though not a goal for Sage, Kaik’s accomplishment broke an undesired streak. Kaik was the first South Whidbey girls golfer in more than eight years to qualify for the second round of a state golf tournament.

“We both felt great about it. I probably felt better about it than she did. She thought she could do better, but she’s young.”

The good news is Kaik has a shot at once again improving her state standing. Next year, South Whidbey High School will be a 1A school, and if Kaik’s progress continues as it did this season, she could have a shot to break into the top 20 golfers.

“She’s got to be very consistent with her first and second shot. Then it’s all about putting,” Sage said.

“It’s going to be a lot of practice on the greens.”