The Washington girls’ golf team looks to defend their back-to-back titles as they take it to the course today in Marshalltown for day one of the class 4A state tournament.

The Demons qualified for state after a runner-up finish at the regional final in Waterloo last week. Washington will be in for a battle as they are fourth out of the eight teams participating with a 374 18-hole average. Dubuque Wahlert looks to be the team to beat as their 361 average is eight strokes better than any team that qualified.

As usual, all eyes are on Sarah Nacos as she seeks a third straight state championship of her own. The junior’s 77.8 average is first in class 4A and look for her main competition to be Grinnell’s Bella Amador-Lacson who is right behind with a 79. There is plenty of firepower for the Demons behind Nacos including Megan Strabala and Allison Vogel as they have consistently shot in the 90s all season. Sophomore Carly Burlingame continues to evolve as she has posted a 105 season average.

The two-day festivities get started at 9 a.m. this morning at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.