Girls' golf: High school history on the line today

When the State Class AA and A girls’ golf tournaments tee off this morning, two area teams will have their reputations on the line.

In Class AA, the Minnewaska Lakers, probably the most successful girls’ golf team in state history, will be looking for their fifth consecutive state title.

After having won two titles in Class A, the Lakers handled the split to three classes with ease, grabbing two more titles in Class AA and setting some nearly insurmountable state records along the way.

They set the lowest score ever recorded in state tournament history with a team total 610 in 2009 after having set the record in 2008 with 643, and another time in 2006 with a 664.

They’re also the only girls’ team to ever shoot a sub-300 score, and they’ve done it three times, once in 2007 (298), in 2008 (292) and again in 2009 (298).

And, despite having lost several golfers to graduation and moves through the years, they remain unbeaten and No. 1 again this year, with their last recorded team loss on May 15, 2006.

Along with being the top team in the state in all classes combined, the Lakers hold down three of the top 10 individual spots in Classes A and AA combined as seniors Sarah Roering and Allie Ostrander are Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, with sophomore Brianna Janu 10th.

Four other teams are also returning to the state meet in Class AA – Red Wing, last year’s runner-up; Visitation of Mendota Heights, fifth; Hermantown, sixth; and Mankato East, eighth.

Rounding out the field are Becker, Albany and Detroit Lakes.

Seven players, including Ostrander, last year’s runner up, return from the top-10 of the 2009 field. The other returning medalists are: Roering, fourth; junior Anna Laorr of Breck School of Golden Valley; junior Jordan Price of Byron, sixth; Becker sophomore Kortney Williams, seventh; and Albany senior Alyssa Kalthoff and Red Wing junior Danielle Brooks, both of whom tied for eighth.

Class A

Osakis junior Kelsey Ross is ranked No. 4 in the Class A/AA combined individual rankings by the Minnesota Golf Coaches Association.

The Silverstreaks are advancing to their second state tournament in three years, having won the Central Minnesota Conference title in their first season with that group.

They also picked up their second section title, winning the 5A crown by 38 strokes.

Osakis’ last team trip to the state tournament was a huge success as they returned home with the runner-up trophy in Class A.

Ross, who was a freshman then, earned runner-up honors individually, posting a two-day total of 169.

Jackie Bowman was also a member of the team that earned those honors.

Last year, the team finished short of a state trip, but Ross and Bowman advanced to the state tournament individually, with Ross earning medalist honors in the section meet.

Ross finished sixth in last year’s state meet, while Bowman concluded her state appearance with a 28th place finish.

Only two teams return from the 2009 field: runner-up Mahnomen and Fosston, the fourth-place finisher. Mahnomen is making its fourth appearance and Fosston is making its 14th appearance.

Mesabi East of Aurora is the only team making its debut appearance.

Rounding out the 2010 field are Lewiston-Altura, United South Central of Wells, Windom Area and Providence Academy of Plymouth

Only two other players from last year’s top-10 are back: junior Amy Mireault of Fosston, fourth; and Deer River senior Becca Rudquist, fifth.

Tags: osakis sports, minnewaska sports, sports, silverstreaks, lakers, girls, golf, state, class, a, aa