By The Hays Daily News

St. Francis sophomore Kyla Bandel could compete for a state title at the Class 3-2-1A championship Monday at Cherry Oaks in Pretty Prairie. Goodland, which bumped up to Class 4A after several years at 3-2-1A, could post another strong season at Hesston Golf Park. Start time is 8:30 a.m. for 3-2-1A and 9 a.m. for Class 4A.

Bandel, who was 35th with a 109 at state as a freshman, won the regional with a 91 last week. Also a volleyball player and cheerleader, Bandel finished second at Syracuse with a 93 and first at Colby with a 46. Bandel technically plays with the Colby golf team, but will have to compete individually at state. Russell, led by Alex Ptacek, qualified as a team. Ptacek will be in the second group, while Bandel will play in the first group. Host Russell and Cheney tied for the regional golf championship with a 418, but won when Russell's Megan Hendrich had the stronger fifth score. She shot 128 to Cheney's Elyssa Kohler's 131. Ptacek tied for the regional crown with a 98, but lost in a playoff.

Goodland, which won a state title in 2008, was sixth last year with a 422 in 3-2-1A. Four of the six golfers from last season's state team return, including Jordan Knitig, who shot a 99 for 13th place in 2011. Cortney Cowan, Megan Siruta and Emily Purvis return, while Logan Perryman and Kate Hays are newcomers.