LONGMONT >> Niwot underclassmen Wendy Cheruiyot and Sonya Holmes once again played beyond their years during the Class 4A Region 3 girls golf tournament Tuesday.

Cheruiyot, a sophomore, finished fourth individually (8-over-par 79) while the freshman Holmes tied for fifth (80) at Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont. Led by those two, Niwot finished second in the team standings to qualify its entire group for next week’s Class 4A state championships, meaning sophomore Adison Murphy (tied-12th, 95) and junior Emmy Hostelley (16th, 98) are also state-bound.

“We work together, we talk about golf, we talk about school,” Cheruiyot said. “We’re friends, even out of the team, too.”

As a team, Niwot finished only one stroke ahead of third-place Windsor, 254 strokes to 255 for the Wizards.

With the top two Region 3 teams earning an automatic state berth, Riverdale Ridge took first (237), led by individual Brynn Balliet’s leading 70.

To be clear, Cheruiyot’s name has been well-known for some time now, particularly after placing 13th at state last spring as a freshman.

Niwot’s top golfer is now aiming for an even stronger showing when the Class 4A state tournament kicks off Monday at The Broadlands in Broomfield.

“I’m really excited to see what I shoot and see if I can improve from last year,” Cheruiyot said.

Cheruiyot added that she sees a lot of herself in Holmes, who follows as the latest Niwot freshman to qualify for state.

“She reminds me of me — her grit and how she plays,” Cheruiyot said. “I always help her out, support her and (tell her), ‘Even if you have a bad shot, just look forward to the next one and you can make it back up.”

Holmes’ 80 was matched by Longmont sophomore and fellow first-time state qualifier Isla Briggs.

“I’m looking forward to the course, meeting new people, getting in a competitive environment,” Briggs said. “Being able to go to state as a sophomore, I think it’s a really great opportunity, so I’m excited.”

Briggs will be joined at state by senior teammate Annika Van Dorn, who placed 10th at 92 strokes. Longmont took fourth in the team standings at 277 strokes.“The girls are so sweet and supportive,” Briggs said. “They’re very kind, and if you have a bad day, they’re always there for you no matter what, so I love them.”

Other local golfers who qualified for state include Frederick’s Danica Dennis (15th, 97), Silver Creek’s Wren Herron (t-17th, 99) and three from Centaurus: Larissa Vann (t-12th, 95), Saija Avery (t-17th, 99) and Ericka Archer (20th, 102).

A birdie on the par-4 16th hole helped the junior Vann earn a state berth for the first time in her high school career. Her 95 also marked a career best.

“It’s been a weird season,” Vann said. “I definitely haven’t played the way I wanted to this season, shooting low hundreds, 120s, 110s. Coming back today with a 95 was amazing.”