Meet the Roland-Story girls golf team, a talented unit going for another 2A state title

The members of the Roland-Story girls golf team refuse to rest on their laurels.

The Norse are coming off a Class 2A state championship run last season. They return every golfer who competed at state in 2023, but that does not mean they expect to waltz into this year's state meet and walk away with another title.

"We have come into this season treating it as a new seasonand focusing on what we need to work on individually as well as the team dynamics," said Roland-Story coach Larry Ammerman. "We touched briefly on our success from last season, for maybe two minutes in our first meeting of the season, and we have simply moved on to this season."

Roland-Story claimed last year's title by shooting a score of 723 over 36 holes to beat Heart of Iowa Conference rival West Marshall by eight strokes for first at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown.

The Norse were not expected to win, but it was not a total shock. They placed fifth in 2Ain 2022 and came in second, just 11 strokes from winning it all, during the 2021 season.

Seniors Makenna Carlson, Briel Wakefield, Grace Corcoran and Abby Cook, juniors Brooke Thompson and Eva Corcoran and sophomore Brinley Carlson all have state experience as they enter the 2024 season.

“It’s really exciting being first in the state,” said Wakefield. “We’ve worked really hard, and we’ve got a good team.”

The Carlson sisters are at the head of pack for the Norse.

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Makenna has placed in the 2A top 10 individually at state in each of her three seasons with the program. She came in 10th as a freshman, and then tied for fourth each of the past two seasons.

During Makenna's freshman season she played behind state runner-up Kate Rahfeldt. Two years ago, Ellie Erickson was Roland-Story's senior leader, and she placed ninth at the state meet.

Makenna said she wants to follow in their footsteps as a senior leader this season.

“I still follow Kate and Ellie,” Makenna said. “They were great role models for me, so I want to be a great role model for everybody.”

Brinley broke onto the varsity scene in a big way as a freshman. She placed seventh in 2A, coming in just nine strokes behind her big sister.

As well as she did individually last year, Brinley said it is all about the team in 2024.

“Obviously I want to win, but I’m not upset if Makenna beats me, or Brooke beats me, or anyone else on this team beats me," said Brinley. "It just makes me want to work harder.”

The two sisters admit they get competitive out on the course, but they ultimately want the same goal for the team. That rubs off on the other Roland-Story golfers.

“Just growing up in the same household, everyone on the team can see how competitive we are,” Makenna said. “Us having healthy competition also helps them have healthy competition.”

Thompson is quickly catching up to the Carlsons.

Last season Thompson was third on the team at state after placing 36th. During Roland-Story's opening meet, a 184-250 dual victory over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on April 2, Thompson shot a 45 over nine holes to earn runner-up honors behind Makenna's 40.

“Trying to get up there with them is always a goal,” said Thompson of the Carlsons. "They're leaders."

Cook missed nearly all of 2023 with a shoulder injury. She made it back in time to place 45th individually at state, and she opened 2024 by carding a 50 to come in one stroke behind Brinley to tie for fourth overall.

Cook is glad to be back on the course with the opportunity to play a full season.

“I love this team,” Cook said. “They’re like a big family to me. We’re all very close outside of golf.”

The Corcorans give Roland-Story a second pair of talented sisters.

Last year at state, Grace placed 42nd and Eva played the second day and carded a 104 over 18 holes.

“It’s fun to play with my sister, but it’s kind of the same as everyone else on the team,” said Grace Corcoran. “You just want to have a good score that can help contribute to your team.”

Wakefield shot a 109 during the first day of the 2023 2A state meet.

"Briel has been involved in three postseason tournaments for Roland-Story, and (she) has worked hard this offseason on improving her game," Ammerman said. "Her mindset is she wants to be one of the top golfers this season."

Both Wakefield and Grace Corcoran shot a 58 to open the season.

“We’re all very capable,” Grace Corcoran said. “It’s just putting in the work now to focus on the meets we have, and getting better so we can get to that point again and try and win.”

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The tight chemistry and quality experience the Norse golfers have will go a long way in helping the team overcome the pressure of trying to repeat as state champions.

“Golf is a mentally challenging sport and having the same team as we had last year, we definitely have a target on our back,” Makenna said. “Having confidence going into each meet, treating it one meet at a time and not expecting anything is going to be really important.”

The 2A field is loaded this season, so earning back-to-back state titles will not be easy. But the Roland-Story golfers have shown they are certainly capable of pulling it off.

“We are good, so it’s just putting in the time and trusting the process,” Makenna said. “It’s knowing we can do anything we set our mind to.”

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Roland-Story girls golf team wants another 2A state championship