DeShaw closes career with All-State honors

GREAT FALLS — When the Butte High golf team last went to Great Falls in August, Jack Muhlestein self-reported a scorecard error and was disqualified.

Bulldog coach Cory Johnston told Muhlestein that his honorable ways built up some serious karma that will pay off down the road. It appears that Johnston was right.

On Friday, the Butte High junior fired his second straight even-par 72 at the Meadow Lark Country Club to capture the third-place medal at the Class AA State tournament.

Muhlestein shot a 33 on the front nine and a 39 on the back to lock up the medal and All-State honors.

Jayce Belzer of Helena Capital won the individual title. He followed a 69 with a 71 for a 139 total. Jackson Hageman of Great Falls Russell took second after improving three shots for a 69 and a 142 total.

Muhlestein’s 144 was three shots better than Capital’s John Gilbert, who placed fourth. Sam Alke of Gallatin, Torren Murray of Glacier and Will Benne of Bozeman tied for fifth at 148.

Butte High freshman Lane Lisac tied for 18th place at 156. He improved two shots from Thursday’s opening round with a 77, missing All-State honors by one shot.

All-State distinction goes to the top 15 golfers.

Bulldog junior Teagan Yelenich followed an 80 with an 83 for a 163 total. Sophomore Miles Choquette finished at 173 after shooing an 85 and an 88, and classmate Braden Donnelly carded a 175. He shot 87 and 88.

Missoula Sentinel won the boys title at 604. Capital was second at 6-9, and CMR placed third at 619. Butte High placed seventh at 636 after Friday’s 320.

On the girls’ side, Butte High senior Kate DeShaw closed out her solid Bulldog golf career with All-State honors. She followed an 85 with a 90 for 175, which was good for a tie for 14th place with Brooklynn Hageman of CMR and Becky Schmidt of Flathead.

Payton Tryan and Clare Jensen of Billings Senior tied for the top spot at 153, but Tryan won the state title on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Jenson followed an 82 with a 71 on Friday, while Tryan carded an 80 after an opening-round 73.

Aerin Ryan of Gallatin placed third at 154, while Paige Loberg of West took fifth at 175.

Butte High junior Sage Leber also competed for the Bulldogs. She improved one shot for a 197 and a 215 total.

Senior won the team title at 654, beating Gallatin by three shots. West took a distant third at 704.

Complete results are available on the Golf Genius app. The GGID is AASTATE26.

Pictured above are, from left to right, Butte High golfers Beckham Kinsey (alternate), Miles Choquette, Lane Lisac, Sage Leber, Kate DeShaw, Jack Muhlestein, Teagan Yelenich and Braden Donnelly.