The Alexandria girls golf team is eager to try to capture a section championship this year and the Cardinals made good on an opportunity to battle the Section 8-3A field in the pre-section meet at the Headwaters Golf Club in Park Rapids on Friday.

Alexandria won the meet with a 318, once again edging a Brainerd program that has been right there with the Cardinals much of the spring. The Warriors shot a 328, and Detroit Lakes rounded out the top three with a 339.

“We played the first 6-8 holes in mild conditions,” Alexandria head coach Tim Zupfer said. “The wind picked up for the next few holes, and the rain came down for the next few holes. The last 3-4 holes were played in dry, but windy conditions. We had a very nice team start on the front nine. Some of the players did fade slightly over the final third of their round, but we were satisfied with another team victory.”

Hannah Boraas and Cora Larson have been a top 1-2 punch all season. Boraas was first in the tournament with a 73 (36, 37), while Larson was right behind her in second with a 75 (35, 40).

“Hannah started her day with back-to-back bogeys on her first two holes,” Zupfer said. “She played the final 16 holes in 1-under par. She carded three birdies, 11 pars and four bogeys. She was very pleased with her play off the tee for her first time seeing the golf course. Cora played the front nine in 1-under par 35. Her round included one birdie and 14 pars. She had a solid day putting and off the tee.”

Aisling O’Connor tied for eighth with an 84 (39, 45), and Lauren Rebrovich tied for 12th with an 86 (41, 45).

“Aisling had a very good day of ball-striking with her driver, and had a birdie early in her round,” Zupfer said. “Her putting was a little below her standards. She was pleased to hit 9-of-18 greens in regulation. Lauren hit her driver well, but was a little frustrated with some of her iron shots. She also had quite a few more putts than her typical rounds.”

Isabella Hagen (t-39th, 51, 51 - 102) and Rachel Bowen (t-46th, 55, 50 - 105) finished off Alexandria’s lineup.

“Isabella had a good start through her first five holes, but then was the victim of some big numbers,” Zupfer said. “She was pleased with the ball-striking of her woods, but looks to improve on shots 100 yards and in. Rachel had a solid start through six holes, but then also was a victim of some big numbers. She looks to improve her play off the tee and her chipping around the greens.”

The Cardinals will now host the first round of the two-day Central Lakes Conference Championship on Monday, May 17, at the Alexandria Golf Club starting at 3:30 p.m. The second day of the CLC championship to determine a team title in the league will be May 24 at Blackberry Ridge in Sartell.

PRE-SECTION 8-3A MEET TEAM SCORES - Alexandria - 318; Brainerd - 328; Detroit Lakes - 339; Sartell - 363; Becker - 376; Buffalo - 381; Moorhead - 391; Monticello - 397; Bemidji - 398; Willmar - 400; St. Cloud Apollo-Tech - 448

Lakers sixth in talented field

The Minnewaska boys golf team was in Detroit Lakes for a two-day tournament on Friday and Saturday where the Lakers played against some talented teams from North Dakota and Minnesota to finish sixth in the eight-team field.

Minnewaska shot a 638 overall through the 36 holes. The Fargo Davies shot a torrid 589 to win the tournament, while West Fargo Sheyenne was second at 600. Moorhead out of Section 8-3A finished third with a 608.

Minnewaska’s Cole Harste had the Lakers’ best score as he shot a 1-over par 72 in the second round. His 83 in the first round gave him a 155 overall, best on the team.

Riley Larson (82, 79) was next in line with a 161. Mason McGinty shot a two-day 163 (75, 88), while Hunter Kostelecky (78, 86 - 164), Zach Gugisberg (86, 83 - 169) and Peyton Rooney (103, 89 - 192) rounded out the lineup for Minnewaska.

TEAM SCORES - Fargo Davies - 589; West Fargo Sheyenne - 600; Moorhead - 608; Grand Forks Red River - 610; Detroit Lakes - 630; Minnewaska - 638; Fargo North - 655; Fargo South - 696