Midgets finish off WDA regular season at Williston Invitational
Sep. 23—The WDA girls golf regular season came to a close Tuesday afternoon with the final invite before the West Region meet taking place in Williston at the Link of North Dakota Golf Course. It was another middle-of-the-pack finish for the Midgets as they came in sixth, which was the fourth time they did so this season.
"Yesterday was tough and windy. It started out a little cooler and then as the day progressed, the green got a lot faster." Midgets' head coach John Spry said. "The course was in excellent condition, but you have to adjust to the greens that's for sure. Golf is a funny sport where you can have a great day and then the next day be left thinking, 'what happened?'"
At the top, powerhouse Bismarck Century took first in the invite with a 362, eight strokes better than second place Mandan with 370. The Patriots have won six of the eight tournaments they have played in this season — including the East-West Classic, consisting of teams from the EDC. Three-time defending state champion Hannah Herber did her part for Century with a score of 78 to earn medalist honors in the invite.
The Midgets' Lola Homiston finished seven strokes behind Herbel as Dickinson's lead player and tied for fourth in the individual standings. Homiston was the only Dickinson player to break 90, with the second closest being eighth grader Kyndall Peterson at 99.
Homiston's stellar performances throughout the season earned her an All-WDA selection, which goes to the top 10 golfers in the region with the best average score, from their best six rounds of the season. Homiston had the sixth highest average at 81.2.
Peterson was having difficulty with her driver, but found her flow teeing off with her hybrid.
Junior Hazel Emter shot a 100 while senior Chloe Kraenzel posted a 103. Kraenzel's score was her worst score since their season opener, where scored a 110. Her average score throughout the season has been 108, but has had a run of good form that has earned her a state tournament spot, securing her bid with an 87 a week ago at the Minot invite.
Spry mentioned how he was pleased to have a parent from another team approach him and complement Emter's performance.
"Yesterday I had a wonderful compliment about Hazel Emter ... He said, ' Boy, she doesn't hit it far, but she is very consistent.'" Spry said. "And to me that is a wonderful compliment because to have consistency is very important. I am looking to have her next year as a team leader."
Dickinson will compete at the WDA regional qualifiers on Monday at the Riverwood Golf Course in Bismarck. Spry said that he believes in this team to place in the top six for a state qualifying spot.
"What I talk about a lot of times is that every stroke matters and course management," Minot had a 386, we had a 387, just goes to show that every shot matters," Spry said. "I honestly believe that we have an excellent chance to be one of the six teams to go to state."
Top 10 finishers
1. Hannah Herbel, Century, 78; T2. Leah Herbel, Century, 79; T2. Carrie Carmichael, Williston, 79; T4. Lola Homiston, Dickinson, 85; T4. Anne Huettl, Mandan, 85; 6. Grace Stroh, Bismarck High, 89; T7. Ava Kalanek, Legacy, 91; T7. Aysia Mettler, Mandan, 91; T9. Paige Breuer, Bismarck High, 92; T9. Anne Hulst, Legacy, 92; T9. Madison Lein, Legacy, 92
Lola Hominston, 46-39—85; Chloe Kraenzel, 52-51—103; Abigail Goettle, 52-54—106; Hazel Emter,49-51—100; Kyndall Peterson,51-48—99; Tristyn Baumgartner, 63-56—119
