A former Los Angeles Lakers coach may have been the first to use the term "three-peat" to describe winning three consecutive championships.
The Signal Mountain girls' golf team may get to us the phrase next in a similar context.
The Lady Eagles own a nine-shot lead over the Christian Academy of Knoxville after the first round of the Class A/AA state tournament Tuesday at Willowbrook Golf Club in Manchester.
"They played well and I'm pleased to be in this position after the first day," Signal Mountain coach Randy Mitchell said. "But there is still more work to be done."
Senior Sarah Dolmovich already owns two championship rings. She is in contention for the medalist honor this year.
The three-sport star shot a 4-over-par 76 and is tied with Marlee Ingham of Creek Wood and Lyndsay McRee of Eagleville for first place. Signal Mountain junior Haley Davidson shot an 83 and is in 11th place.
"I think they were just ready," Mitchell said. "They've been preparing and I think they had it in their heads the whole time."
The Boyd-Buchanan girls are in sixth place at 182. Polk County junior Lydia Triplett is tied for fourth individually at 78 with Mindy Llewellyn of Harpeth.
"I hope she plays the same," Polk coach Jason Adams said.
Notre Dame coach Jeff Fisher said he would like his boys' team to play better in the final round today. The Irish are one shot back of Alcoa after a "so-so" first round, as Fisher described it. They shot an 18-over 306. East Hamilton is sixth at 330.
Senior David Weeks led the Irish with a 2-over 74 and is tied for ninth. Junior Will Armor followed with a 75, as did Chattanooga Christian freshman Scott Stevens.
"They didn't play badly, but they were expecting more out of themselves," said Fisher, whose squad finished runner-up last year. "The course jumped up and bit everybody here and there.
"We are in a good position."
And Signal Mountain's girls in a great position.