SPOKANE — Lead by example, learn by example.

North Kitsap seniors Alicia Bratlien, Stephen Duwe and Miquela Pendleton found themselves in company with the best high school golfers Washington state has to offer May 23 and 24 at their respective state golf tournament courses. And out of the highly competitive fields, the North Kitsap athletes picked up not only respectable scores, but also unmeasurable experience that will help them in their quest for the next level.

“The competition was a lot harder this year, harder than I’ve ever seen,” Pendleton said of her third trip to the state links. “The cut was three strokes lower than last year and there were a lot of girls around the same level, so that made it even more competitive.”

At the end of Day One at the Spokane-area Hangman Valley Golf Course, Pendleton made the cut with a score of 77, but opened the second day off-beat, creating a mental sand trap which she struggled to swing herself out of through the next seven holes.

“My coach (Jay Devries) really helped me. He came up and told me to forget about everything and just start over fresh,” Pendleton said.

Devries’ do-over advice payed off as Pendleton cleared her mind and her game came back around. Back on track after the seventh hole on Day Two, the Lady Viking senior put together a round of 81 May 24, combining with her 77 of the day before, landing her in 11th place on the weekend with an overall score of 158.

Bratlien, also in her third trip to the state tournament, put together two consistent rounds of 82 and 85 to finish tied for 31 with an overall score of 167.

Bethel’s Sadena Parks took the state title in a playoff with combined rounds of 75 and 72.

“I had a lot of fun with coach and Alicia (Bratlien),” Pendleton said of the overall state experience in 2006. “We all just had a really great time, I don’t look back and regret anything.”

North’s lone men’s golfer, Duwe, also came out of the weekend with no regrets after ending an up-and-down season on a high note.

“The way I ended this senior year was just incredible,” Duwe said. “I completely forget about all the bad rounds because it ended so well.”

Duwe came out swinging in the first round of competition at Qualchan Country Club. He shot an even-par 72 in the first round, placing him in a tie for sixth place after Day One. But a hiccup round of 78 on Day Two dropped him down to a tie for 19th place overall.

Duwe noted the most important thing that he will carry from the state tournament and the 2006 season is the importance and improvements in the game of golf inside his head.

“I learned a ton, maybe not on my swing or short game, but on my mental game, I learned a lot,” Duwe said, noting the abundant guidance he has received from longtime NK golf coach Tom Harney. “He was great to have with me, just encouraging me. I learned a lot from him that I can take with me.”

Duwe is headed to the The Masters College on a golf scholarship. The Southern California school’s golf team placed seventh in the recent NAIA National Championships.

Pendleton and Bratlien will also be moving on, hoping to extend their golfing careers walking on at their respective college choices. Pendleton is headed to Cal Poly while Bratlien will be staying close to home at Western Washington University.