Hailey Blancas, recent graduate of Montesano High School, has been a diligent student athlete throughout her high school career, making significant strides both as a player and when serving in leadership roles related to her chosen sport, golf. In addition to being captain of the girls golf team at the high school over the past four years, Blancas’ athletic accolades also include three district championships for golf, second place at the state championship in 2022 and first place at the state championship in 2023. This year, Blancas continued her success at the 2024 WIAA 1A State Girls Golf Championship in May, where she again placed second statewide.
Blancas Has Built an Impressive Golf Resume Throughout Her High School Career
Blancas has demonstrated an interest in golf from a young age, and was introduced to the game by her father, a long time golfer. Blancas’ father eventually went on to operate Grays Harbor Junior Golf, which according to Blancas, allowed her the opportunity to become more immersed in the sport, and develop her craft. “That’s what really kind of grew my interest in the game,” says Blancas. “Was playing with all the local kids who loved it as much as I did.”
In eighth grade, Blancas had the opportunity to play with a group of high school students in a statewide high school golf tournament from the Washington Junior Golf Association, which Blancas credits as a preview of the high school golf team experience. As a freshman at Montesanto High School, Blancas says she soon joined the girls high school golf team, and was ranked as a number one seed in golf during the four years she was on the team.
Blancas has been a dedicated member of the high school girls golf team, working alongside her fellow golfers as well as the head coach of the team, Doug Galloway. And in Blancas’ off-time, she has also worked with an additional swing coach, Tom Sovay of the Redmond Ridge Golf Club, who Blancas says has helped strengthen certain aspects of her golf game, like hitting the ball longer distances on the green. As captain of the girls golf team, Blancas has also been able to use her previous education and expertise in the sport to help support her teammates.
“It has been great to be able to watch my team grow and help them reach success,” says Blancas. “I also wanted to become the best player I could be so I could lead them by example. Leading this team is something I really enjoyed during my time in our golf program, and I can’t wait to see what everyone does in the years to come.”
After Adjustments Early in the Season, Blancas Rallied To Attend State Golf Championship
The 2024 golfing season proved to be a journey for Blancas. Toward the beginning of the season, Blancas recalls needing some time and additional practice to warm up. Gradually, Blancas began to make some adjustments, and by the middle of the season, Blancas says she was able to return to form. Blancas went on to secure a district championship this year, which had become a long-term goal for Blancas after missing first place at the district championship the previous year.
After Blancas’ win at the district championship, she went on to attend the 2024 WIAA 1A State Girls Golf Championship at the Riverside Golf Club in Chehalis. Blancas was the sole member of the girls golf team at Montesano High School to compete in the 2024 state championship.
“State came around, and I felt like I was at my, the top of my game,” says Blancas. “Playing my best, and just went in really confident and was really excited to compete.”
Both the 2023 and 2024 WIAA 1A State Girls Golf Championship took place at the Riverside Golf Course, and as Blancas became more familiar with the course, she recalled certain features that athletes needed to look out for when playing on this course.
“It’s a pretty short course,” explains Blancas. “But it has really tough greens where if you hit your golf ball in the wrong spot, it could cost you a couple strokes, so that makes it pretty challenging.”
The state championship took place over the span of two days, on May 21 and 22, 2024, and by the end of the first day, Blancas had a strong showing and was neck-and-neck in first place. Blancas says the lineup for the state championship was competitive, and she enjoyed the challenge of playing alongside such high-caliber athletes. Aware of the quality of her competition, Blancas says she was thrilled with taking home second place at the conclusion of the state competition.
“Overall, playing at state is probably one of the coolest experiences I’ve had,” says Blancas. “Because you have a lot of people there to support you, and just a lot of fun playing against the best players in the state.”
Reflecting on her high school career, Blancas is grateful for the many people who have helped her grow as a student athlete, and in this next chapter she is looking ahead to a slate of new opportunities on the horizon. Over the summer, Blancas says she will be busy participating in a number of golf tournaments, with the ultimate intention of qualifying for the Washington Junior Golf Association state championship. This fall, Blancas will begin studying mathematics at Saint Martin’s University, while also continuing to play golf.
“I’d like to thank my teammates and coaches and all the people that supported me over the last four years,” says Blancas.
