Century Golfer Returns from Cancer to Place Third

After undergoing surgery in August, Kambell Richards secures a top-three finish at the 5A state golf tournament.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Golf

Century Golfer Returns from Cancer to Place Third

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Following a diagnosis of melanoma in the spring of 2026, Century High School golfer Kambell Richards returned to competition to take third place at the 5A state tournament on October 13. The Century girls team also finished in second place at the two-day event.

Why it matters

Richards success at the state level marks a significant recovery after she missed the first six weeks of the high school season due to medical treatment and surgery. Her return helped anchor the Century team as they competed for state honors following their sixth consecutive district title.

Kambell Richards secured her third-place individual result after carding rounds of 82 and 81, closing the tournament with a birdie on the final hole. The Century girls team finished the state competition with a cumulative stroke count of 714.

The players

Kambell Richards

She is a student-athlete at Century High School who plans to pursue collegiate golf at Idaho State.

Century High School

It is a Pocatello educational institution that maintains a competitive golf program.

Bishop Kelly

It is an educational institution that earned the state team golf title.

The details

After surgery in August, Richards returned to the course on September 10, eventually helping her team win a district title before the state championship at The Links Golf Club in Post Falls. The Century squads utilized a break between rounds to visit Coeur d'Alene, providing a mental reset that preceded their strong finish.

Kambell Richards underwent surgery for melanoma in August 2026.
Richards returned to competitive golf on September 10, 2026.
Century High School secured its sixth straight district title on October 7, 2026.
The 5A state golf tournament took place on October 12 and October 13, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The Century High School girls golf team finishing second at the 5A state golf tournament follows the established performance patterns of the annual Idaho championship. This outcome highlights the team's consistency following their sixth consecutive district title win.

Richards finished the tournament with a final round score of 81, ensuring a podium placement for her team. The Century girls program recorded a 714 total team stroke count to solidify their second-place ranking behind Bishop Kelly.

The takeaway

Maintaining competitive performance during recovery requires a focus on both physical rehabilitation and mental preparation. Athletes can benefit from taking breaks from high-pressure environments, such as visiting new locations between rounds, to regain focus.