Cleveland High School golfers Heidi Barringer and Rheagan Hall have been rooting for each all year long.
They've been a team.
Barringer, a senior, has been leading Hall, a freshman, through the experience of playing for the team.
That's gone today.
They're competing against each other for a Class AAA state championship because the Lady Raiders were defeated in the Region 3 tournament. But they both advanced as individuals.
"I hope we both play our best and leave with no regrets," Barringer said of the two-day tournament. "We're going to be the only ones that's painting our face. We're going with a blue 'C' and outline it in white.
"It's going to be fun. I'm excited."
The two Lady Raiders comprise half of the Chattanooga-area contingent playing Willowbrook Golf Course in Manchester with state championship awards on the line.
Bradley Central's Olivia Williams is competing against Hall and Barringer for the girls' individual title.
Dylan Lillard of Walker Valley advanced as an individual as well. He is the lone District 5 male representative from a region tournament dominated by District 4.
"He's accustomed to the moment," Walker Valley coach Bob Williams said. "He's playing well. He's confident. I think he can be in the top five if he puts it together."
All four golfers from the three Cleveland schools played a practice round Monday. Barringer gave Hall some tips on shots to hit and shots to avoid. Coach Williams walked 18 holes with Lillard and discussed target lines and the importance of avoiding big numbers.
"He hit the ball well today," the coach said. "I know this is a big deal, but he's confident."
Hall, the freshman who loves hunting deer as much as making a birdie, is taking a hole-by-hole approach to her first state tournament. She said Barringer gave her advice on how to play the back nine at Willowbrook, which is filled with trouble to the left and danger to the right.
"I need to play my best and see where things end up," Hall said. "I have to worry about making pars, and if birdies happen, then they do. I want to avoid bogeys."
Hall also wants to beat her neighbor.
"Pride is on the line," Hall said. "There's a friendly competition between us. It's bragging rights when we go back to school."
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.