When Pike Liberal Arts’ Susie Stell found out she would be playing from the boys tees at the AISA State Finals, she took it in stride.

When she was told that she would be required to play all 36 holes in one day, she wasn’t fazed.

But when the state title trophy was put in her hands, she admitted that she savored it.

“It felt great,” Stell said. “I just wanted to play well, and make some shots. I never thought about winning it, but it feels amazing.”

Not only did Stell best a select group of females at the AISA championships, she also outshoot 22 of the male competitors.

Stell said she relied on her short game to fire a 99 and 97 in the one-day, two-round format.

“I knew I couldn’t outdrive the boys,” Stell said. “I had to use my short game to beat them. I was able to make some putts and get the ball to find the hole.”

Stell won the Women’s Division by nine strokes.

Gene Allen, Pike Liberal Arts head coach, said Stell has proven all year that she is able to play well, and just backed it up on Monday.

“Susie is confident and has a good head on her shoulders,” said Allen. “She loves to compete and showed that Monday. It was a tough course and a long day, but I told her if anyone could do it, she could. She is truly deserving of it, and I am really proud of her.”

In the boys tournament, Pike Liberal’s Ryan Johnson finished 12th.