PUEBLO – Kelsey McKenna set herself a goal before the season of finishing in the top five in the state in Class 4A girls’ golf.

Air Academy’s McKenna opened the final round of the state tournament at Pueblo Country Club on Tuesday in third place paired with the two golfers ahead of her. Knees shaking as she teed off on the first hole, McKenna accomplished her goal, shooting a two-day total of 156 for third place in the 4A state tournament.

A great rebound round from Regina Dillon helped three-time defending state champion Cheyenne Mountain finish second as a team.

Silver Creek’s Erin Sargent sank a tough birdie putt on 18 to edge Colorado Academy’s Caroline Jordaan by one stroke for the individual title. Sargent shot 5-over-149.

Jordaan and her Mustangs teammates, however, took the team title with a score of 36-over-468. The Indians were 52 strokes back.

A day after shooting 15 over, Dillon shot 4-over-76 – the fifth-lowest score of the second round – to tie with Palmer Ridge’s Kellsey Sample at 19-over-163 for 10th place.

“It felt so much better,” Dillon said. “I think the issue with yesterday we were all thinking we have to win the state championship, we have to get the lead. … Today, I was kind of like, that didn’t work, so feel free, think open-minded, and just try and be calm with your swing. Clearly, I did that.”

McKenna finished 12 over, one stroke in front of Colorado Academy’s Kacey Godwin and Dolores’ Kiselya Plewe. McKenna, who qualified for state all four seasons of high school, posted her best state performance, despite being nervous playing in the final group and with a number of onlookers following.

“It was really fun, high pressure definitely,” said McKenna, who will attend Colorado in the fall and might try to walk on to the Buffaloes. “On the first tee, I was shaking. You see everyone, we have a giant group the whole day, there’s cameras in your face. It’s crazy.”

Seeing McKenna set her goal and then accomplish it had Kadets’ first-year coach Jim Cole impressed.

“I was telling her when we were coming off the green that she started the season with a goal and she achieved it,” Cole said. “And that’s something to be extremely proud of.”

St. Mary’s Sarah Hwang and Palmer Ridge’s Ashlee Sample tied for 18th at 27 over.

While the Indians’ streak of titles ends, finishing second – 26 strokes ahead of third-place Rifle – was not to be overlooked, first-year Indians coach John Carricato said.

“I think at a high school like Cheyenne Mountain, where state championships happen quite a bit – we just celebrated one in boys’ swim – sometimes we take it for granted,” he said. “I think we just need to make sure it’s in perspective. Yeah, our goal was to win state, but we’re pretty proud of taking second.”

For McKenna, it was the best way to end a prep career.

“High school golf season couldn’t have ended a better way,” she said.