Staff report
SOUTHERN PINES— Salisbury’s Isabella Rusher held off the field to win the individual championship on Tuesday in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s state 1A/2A women’s golf championships at the Longleaf Golf and Country Club.
Rusher had a three-shot lead over the field after the first day with a 74 and shot an 83 on Tuesday for a 157 total, but it was enough to win the title by a single shot. Allea Hawkins of Hendersonville and Emily Brooks of Pittsboro Northwood each had 158s, with Brooks shooting a 79 on the final day.
Lily Yatawara of Salisbury and Mary Frances Hall of Elkin were tied for fourth at 162. Hall had the best round of the second day with a 77.
Salisbury rolled to a convincing 33-shot victory in the team standings after holding a 20-stroke lead after the first day. Salisbury recorded a 496 to 529 for runner-up Pittsboro Northwood, with East Surry third at 541.
Salisbury was second to champion West Henderson in last year’s championship that had 1-A, 2-A and 3-A schools together.