The 2019 NSAA Girls' Golf Championships brought a pleasant surprise; great weather. Aside from delayed starts at all three sites, the championships were conducted and completed without weather issues. The first day saw temperatures in the upper-60s and into the 70s, with light winds. The final round was a bit chillier with strong winds, but after significant weather issues in recent years, it was a welcome surprise.
The championships were conducted at three sites across Nebraska on Monday October 14 and 15, at Norfolk Country Club (Class A), Elks Country Club in Columbus (Class B) and Lake Maloney Golf Club in North Platte (Class C).
Class A
It was a repeat in both races at the Class A Championship at Norfolk Country Club. Lincoln Southwest (@lsw_golf) entered the tournament as the defending champion and the favorite to take the team title again. The Silver Hawks had already hoisted eight team trophies so far in the fall 2019 season, which included the three best team totals in school history. They also were led by the top ranked player in Class A, sophomore Kate Strickland, who had seven individual titles under her belt this season, including a six-stroke victory at the A-1 District Tournament with a round of 66 (-6). That score set a Class A District scoring record. Southwest also featured two more players ranked in the Top 15 in Class A, senior Brynn Sundquist and sophomore Neely Adler.
The Silver Hawks had some tough competition to face from the eastern part of the state in Millard North, Lincoln Pius X and Papillion-La Vista. However, the top contender came out of the west, in the North Platte Bulldogs. The Bulldogs finished runner-up to Southwest in 2018 and had improved with the addition of freshman Karsen Morrison, the seventh ranked player in Class A. Morrison and experienced junior Baylee Steele led the Bulldogs to seven team victories this fall, with Morrison winning one individual title and Steel picking up four wins. One of those featured a playoff between the two at the A-2 District, with Steele taking the win, and the Bulldogs cruising to a 34-stroke triumph in the team race. Like Southwest, North Platte shattered its record books, posting the six lowest team scores in school history this fall.
The battle for the Class A crown ensued at Norfolk Country Club, and the Silver Hawks struck the first blow. Sundquist opened with a first round 76 (+4) and was tied for second, while Strickland was just a stroke behind in fourth at 77 (+5). Southwest's team total of 325 (+37) produced an eight-stroke lead over North Platte at 333 (+45). Morrison and Steele led the Bulldogs with rounds of 79 (+7) and 80 (+8), respectively.
Despite difficult scoring conditions during the final round, the Silver Hawks again posted the lowest team total of the day to close out their second-straight title. Adler led the team this time, firing a round of 81 (+9), while Sundquist followed with an 84 (+12) and Strickland shot an 86 (+14). Junior Sadie Steele added an 89 (+17) to give Southwest a final round 340 (+52). The Silver Hawks finished with a 665 (+89) total and a 15-stroke victory over the Bulldogs. Sundquist (T2), Adler (5th) and Strickland (T6) all finished in the top 10 individually. Sadie Steele was 21st at 180 (+36), while No. 5 player and freshman Tatum Terwilliger was 33rd at 188 (+44).
The Bulldogs were 15 strokes better than third place, finishing with a 680 (+104) total after a final round 347 (+59). Steele and Morrison tied Strickland for sixth at 163 (+19), with Steele posting a final round 83 (+11) and Morrison an 84 (+12). North Platte was also the only team with four players earning medals, as senior Maggie Lashley and junior Maya Lashley tied for 15th at 177 (+33).
In the individual race, sophomore Kaitlyn Hanna of Omaha Westside put together a great performance and took another step in the record books. Hanna, the defending champion, took charge from the start with a first round 72 (E) for a four-stroke lead over Sundquist and Sydney Taake of Papillion-La Vista. There have only been nine rounds better than 72 in any class, and only two in Class A, at the state championships.
Hanna did not let off the gas during the final round, despite the difficult conditions, again posting the low round of the day. Her lead grew with her round of 80 (+8), and she won her second-straight title by eight strokes with a 152 (+8) total.
Hanna, who also is the 2019 Nebraska Girls' Amateur Champion, is now 2-for-2 in her high school career. If she could win in 2020 and 2021, she'd be just the third player to win four straight titles. Hanna could match Chadron's Susan Roll with three titles next year. Lincoln Southeast's Angie Wilson and Doniphan-Trumbull's Danielle Lemek are the only players to win four times.
Freshman Nicole Kolbas of Lincoln Pius X matched Hanna with a final round 80 (+8) to jump into a tie for runner-up honors with Sundquist at 160 (+16). Millard North sophomore Katelyn Ruge finished fourth at 161 (+17), while Adler was fifth at 162 (+18).
Individual Top 15
1. Kaitlyn Hanna, Omaha Westside | 152 (+8)
T2. Brynn Sundquist, Lincoln Southwest | 160 (+16)
T2. Nicole Kolbas, Lincoln Pius X | 160 (+16)
4. Katelyn Ruge, Millard North | 161 (+17)
5. Neely Adler, Lincoln Southwest | 162 (+18)
T6. Baylee Steele, North Platte | 163 (+19)
T6. Karsen Morrison, North Platte | 163 (+19)
T6. Kate Strickland, Lincoln Southwest | 163 (+19)
9. Sydney Taake, Papillion-La Vista | 164 (+20)
10. Lauren Carr, Lincoln Pius X | 166 (+22)
11. Eleanor Speece, Papillion-La Vista | 169 (+25)
12. Emily Karmazin, Elkhorn | 171 (+27)
13. Erica Lee, Omaha Burke | 173 (+29)
14. Malainey Wiemers, Millard North | 176 (+32)
T15. Maggie Lashley, North Platte | 177 (+33)
T15. Maya Lashley, North Platte | 177 (+33)
Team Top 5
1. Lincoln Southwest | 665 (+89)
2. North Platte | 680 (+104)
3. Millard North | 695 (+119)
4. Lincoln Pius X | 701 (+125)
5. Papillion-La Vista | 712 (+136)
Class B
A historic run came to an end and a different dynasty was resumed in Class B at Elks Country Club in Columbus. It had been a frustrating four years for Scottsbluff. After winning back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014, also their fifth title in seven years, the Bearcats had to watch Omaha Duchesne Academy rattle off four straight team titles, matching a record in Class B. All the while, Scottsbluff was contending but couldn't dethrone Duchesne, finishing second in 2015 and 2017, third in 2016 and fourth in 2018.
However, the Bearcats (@prowlthelinks) were back to their winning ways in 2019, recapturing the title, and matching Duchesne's Class B record with the school's eighth championship. With its eighth title, Scottsbluff has now won eight of the last 17 team races in Class B. Outside of the wins, the Bearcats also have finished runner-up twice, third place four times and fourth place once during that stretch.
Scottsbluff's first round 327 (+39) was just one stroke shy of the Class B scoring record, set by Elkhorn South in 2011. Still, the Bearcats only led by nine strokes over their neighbors from Gering (+48). Ogallala was third at 350 (+62), while Duchesne was in unfamiliar territory in fourth, 30 strokes back at 357 (+69).
Freshman Anna Kelley led the way for the Bearcats with a round of 76 (+4), which had her in second, four strokes back in the individual race. Sophomore Emily Krzyzanowski was tied for fourth after a 79 (+7).
Similar to Class A, the conditions for the final round at Class B were much more difficult, but Scottsbluff still posted the low score of the day 350 (+62), which was matched by Ogallala. The Bearcats took their eighth title by 14 strokes with a 677 (+101) team total. Kelley, 83 (+11), and Krzyzanowski, 85 (+13), again led the team. Kelley finished tied for second individually at 159 (+15) in her first state tournament, while Krzyzanowski captured her second straight medal with a tie for sixth at 164 (+20). Scottsbluff's lone senior, Carson Hauschild, and junior Halle Shaddick also picked up medals, tying for 11th at 177 (+33). Sophomore Lehla Ehler finished tied for 30th at 198 (+54).
Gering finished second as a team for the second straight year at 691 (+115). Three Bulldogs came away with medals, led by junior Madilyne Kleich-Schlaepfer, who was fifth at 162 (+18). Senior Alexandria Thurman-Boswell tied for sixth at 164 (+20), while senior Avery Mitchell finished 13th at 180 (+36). Duchesne (+154) finished fourth behind Ogallala (+124), which took third after moving up from Class C, where the Indians had just won three straight team titles.
There was no drama in the individual race, as Aurora's Danica Badura cruised to her first title. After finishing runner-up each of the past two years, Badura left no doubt in 2019, winning by an incredible 14 strokes and setting a Class B scoring record. Badura opened with a round of even-par 72. Only two rounds in Class B Championship history have been lower. Her lead was four strokes over Kelley, but Badura thrived in the difficult conditions during the final round, and her lead quickly reached double-digits. Badura's 73 (+1) was the low round of the day by seven strokes, and her 145 (+1) total set a Class B record by three strokes. The previous record was 148, set by two different McCook players, Katherine Morell (2004) and Kaylee Samway (2012).
Three players tied for second, 14 strokes behind Badura, at 159 (+15), including seniors Harley Hiltibrand of Ogallala and Lauren Goertz of Duchesne, as well as Kelley of Scottsbluff.
Individual Top 15
1. Danica Badura, Aurora | 145 (+1)
T2. Anna Kelley, Scottsbluff | 159 (+15)
T2. Harley Hiltibrand, Ogallala | 159 (+15)
T2. Lauren Goertz, Omaha Duchesne Academy | 159 (+15)
5. Madilyne Kleich-Schlaepfer, Gering | 162 (+18)
T6. Alexandria Thurman-Boswell, Gering | 164 (+20)
T6. Emily Krzyzanowski, Scottsbluff | 164 (+20)
8. Riley Stuhr, York | 172 (+28)
T9. Bridget Duffy, Omaha Duchesne Academy | 176 (+32)
T9. Ryanna DeVries, Ogallala | 176 (+32)
T11. Carson Hauschild, Scottsbluff | 177 (+33)
T11. Halle Schaddick, Scottsbluff | 177 (+33)
13. Avery Mitchell, Gering | 180 (+36)
T14. Emily Gustafson, Holdrege | 181 (+37)
T14. Kaylee Wach, Ogallala | 181 (+37)
Team Top 5
1. Scottsbluff | 677 (+101)
2. Gering | 691 (+115)
3. Ogallala | 700 (+124)
4. Omaha Duchesne Academy | 730 (+154)
5. Aurora | 803 (+227)
Class C
Class C at Lake Maloney Golf Club in North Platte brought the best races in both the team and individual competitions, as both came down to the final few holes. The top seven teams were separated by just 17 strokes, nearly the same margin by which Classes A and B were won. In the end, it was Lincoln Lutheran that came out victorious, winning the school's second title. The Warriors added to their 2015 title by edging out their rivals from Lincoln Christian by six strokes.
It was a rematch of the C-1 District Tournament, in which Lincoln Christian came out on top by 16 strokes to take the title. The teams finished 1-2 at the tournament to advance to state, combining to take six of the top 10 individual places. However, the roles were reversed at the state tournament, as Lincoln Lutheran jumped out to a six-stroke lead after the first round. The Warriors posted an opening round of 378 (+90) to take the lead, but Lincoln Christian was close behind, and a handful of other teams were within striking distance. Junior Grace Fahleson shot a 90 (+18) to help her team into the lead.
Despite colder temperatures and gustier winds, most teams improved on their scores during the final round. The top two teams after round one were not among those teams, so several teams were brought into contention. However, Lincoln Lutheran's top two players were solid down to stretch to push their team to the win with a 387 (+99) final round. Fahleson played her final six holes in one-over par to post an 83 (+11), the fourth-lowest round of the day. She finished in a tie for seventh individually at 173 (+29). Sophomore Rachael Volin knocked five strokes off her first round score for a final round 90 (+18), just missing out on a medal in 16th place at 185 (+41). The Warriors finished with a 765 (+189) total to win by six strokes over Lincoln Christian.
Lincoln Christian's top two players were solid as well, as the team also shot 387 (+99) in the final round to stay five strokes clear of third. Senior Taylor Van Ostrand carded her second straight 84 (+12) and finished fourth at 168 (+24). Another senior, Sara Morden, improved to an 89 (+17) to earn a medal in 15th at 181 (+37).
Cambridge posted the second-best round of the day, a 381 (+93), to tie Kearney Catholic for third at 776 (+200). Broken Bow's 377 (+89) was the lowest round of the championship and vaulted them into fifth at 781 (+205).
The individual race was a wild ride, as multiple players held the lead during the final round. Ultimately, it was Cozad's Lynzi Becker who fired a final round 76 (+4) to take the title by four strokes with a 156 (+12) total.
Becker, a sophomore, started the second day two strokes behind junior Abbigail Brodersen of Boone Central and sophomore Payton Wise of Kimball. She fell even further back after four bogeys in her first six holes. Brodersen took the lead outright, by one over Wise and four over Becker. A birdie on the par-4 eighth hole for Becker brought her within three of Brodersen, and just one back of Wise at the turn.
The back nine was a roller coaster, as Brodersen made double-bogey on No. 10, and Becker was within one stroke. However, Brodersen bounced back with birdies on Nos. 11 and 13 and her lead was back to four. That lead only lasted two holes though, as she went triple-bogey, double-bogey on Nos. 14 and 15. Becker went the opposite way, with a par and a birdie to leap into the lead. With Wise and Brodersen struggling on the back nine, Becker was great. She came in with a 37 (+1), including one birdie and just two bogeys to seal the win.
Becker is the first individual champion from Cozad since Kendra Marshall won Class B in 1987. Brodersen finished second at 160 (+16), while Wise was third at 163 (+19).
Individual Top 15
1. Lynzi Becker, Cozad | 156 (+12)
2. Abbigail Brodersen, Boone Central | 160 (+16)
3. Payton Wise, Kimball | 163 (+19)
4. Taylor Van Ostrand, Lincoln Christian | 168 (+24)
5. Brook Diekemper, West Point-Beemer | 170 (+26)
6. Sydney Erickson, Pierce | 172 (+28)
T7. Grace Fahleson, Lincoln Lutheran | 173 (+29)
T7. Madison Jackson, Broken Bow | 173 (+29)
T9. Elizabeth Mestl, Heartland | 174 (+30)
T9. Maria Jauken, Cambridge | 174 (+30)
11. Madison Miller, Heartland | 176 (+32)
12. Anna Kassmeier, Norfolk Catholic | 177 (+33)
13. Addison Mitchell, Kearney Catholic | 178 (+34)
14. MaKenzie Enderlin, Columbus Scotus | 180 (+36)
15. Sara Morden, Lincoln Christian | 181 (+37)
Team Top 5
1. Lincoln Lutheran | 765 (+189)
2. Lincoln Christian | 771 (+195)
T3. Cambridge | 776 (+200)
T3. Kearney Catholic | 776 (+200)
5. Broken Bow | 781 (+205)