SYRACUSE — Davis High senior Katherine Ashby took a sports psychology course earlier this year. And that time in the classroom wound up helping the team’s academic all-stater as the Darts captured the first-ever 5A girls state golf championship at Glen Eagle Golf Course last week.

“One of the biggest things we learned in that class is that people often put too much pressure on themselves when they are in a big competition,” Ashby said. “The class taught that those who are most successful enter every competition, big or small, with the same mind-set to do the best they can. No pressure.”

Ashby’s calm logical approach led the way for her team as the senior shot a 7-over 79 for 83 points. This placed Ashby 4th overall earning her all-state honors. In fifth place, also earning all-state was 9th grader Carly Oldroyd, a student at Farmington Junior High.

“I’ve played in a lot of competitions before so I wasn’t nervous about playing,” Oldroyd said. “I was a little nervous because there were so many other people depending on me with our team, school and community.”

Oldroyd played like a seasoned veteran and the two book ends of the team helped lay the foundation for the title. Then with Lexi Moody and Jenny Peterson giving the team a solid lift from their third and fourth team spots the Darts were able to score 227 points, edging Brighton (222) and Bingham (215).

“This is a weird sport because you’re out on the course all day and you really have no idea what’s going on team wise,” said Davis coach Neal Porter, who stepped in after the team’s original coach gave birth to a baby just as the season began. “I knew how we were matching up against Brighton and Skyline because they were in our group. I also knew they were considered two of the best teams out there so it made sense that we were doing well.

“You have 76 total players out there and it all impacts your team.

“It wasn’t until everything was tallied up after all of the golfing was completed that we realized we won.

“I am so proud of what these girls were able to accomplish today,” Porter said. “It’s an exciting day for all of us.”

sschulte@davisclipper.com