Tracy Gustafson didn't know what to expect at the start of the 2020 high school girls golf season.
"If we could not compete and how we were going to handle this was always in the back of my mind,” the JHS head golf coach said of the coronavirus pandemic.
No Blue Jay golf team members contracted COVID-19 over the course of the season.
“We were able to roll with the punches just with their different school schedules and balancing the hybrid learning schedule while still coming to practice and traveling for tournaments.”
Nine weeks of uncertainty and flexing with varying schedules later, the head coach finished out the season with her team at the 2020 Class A girls golf state tournament in Minot. The Jays shot a collective 719 to place sixth -- two spots up from the Blue Jays' 2019 state performance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fargo Shanley took the team title with a 656 while 2019 state champs Bismarck Century settled for second with 665. Hannah Herbel of Century defended her 2019 state title shooting a 1-over-par 145.
“Their minds were more in the mode of enjoying the moment (so) our mental game was a little less stressed,” Gustafson said. “I think they just realized that this is it and they had to make the best of it."
The Jays experienced gusty conditions at Souris Valley on Monday, a challenge that drove the Jays to 11th place at 369. Gustafson said due to more favorable weather conditions Tuesday, the Blue Jays' pace of play was a little bit faster than Day 1. The Jays shot their second-best round all season, carding 350.
"That was in my mind because I know we are very capable of that," Gustafson said of the round score. "To go out there today and achieve that, it was a good feeling. I know that they are super proud of themselves. It speaks volumes that they can go out there and do that."
It was quite the way for the three Blue Jay seniors to go out.
Cora Wolsky led the Jays in her last ever tournament as a high school athlete. Wolsky turned in a two-round score of 173 to just make the top-20 cut. Vogel was only a few strokes behind carding an 87 to bring her total to 175. Lauryn Hibl ended the two-day tourney with a 184.
"I always like to do a little shoutout to my seniors at the end," Gustafson said. "Obviously I just wish them the best of luck moving forward with their college careers or whatever future path they may choose."
The three non-seniors on the list of competing athletes did their fair share on the course as well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Junior Bria Nieswaag improved on her first-round score of 101 by 15 strokes. Olivia Sorlie broke 100 by three strokes on her second round bringing her total to 198. Grace LeFevre rounded out the Blue Jay team shooting a two-round total of 223.
“I hope they would have learned that we truly have to take every opportunity that we get and give it our best effort every time,” Gustafson said. “Life is precious, just make the memories the best you can.”
Team results: 1. Fargo Shanley, 325-331--656; 2. Century, 334-331--665; 3. Mandan, 328-344--672; 4. Fargo Davies, 344-334--678; 5. Fargo South, 355-352--707; 6. Jamestown, 369-350--719; 7. G.F. Red River, 369-352--721; 8. Bismarck Legacy, 361-360--721; 9. Fargo North, 367-368--735; 10. Wahpeton, 367-368--735; 11. Bismarck High, 365-375--740; 12. Williston, 377-369--746.
Top-10 finishers: 1. Hannah Herbel, BC, 71-74--145; 2. Greta McArthur, SHAN, 76-72--148; 3. Carrie Carmichael, WIL, 76-75--151; 4. Anna Huettl, MAN, 78-78--156; 5. Bella Dobrinski, MIN, 78-79--157; 6. Ava Olson, FD, 81-77--158; 7. Aysia Mettler, MAN, 80-78--158; 8. Clara Hanson, G.F. CEN, 77-82--159; 9. Riley Crothers, BC, 80-81--161; 10. Jaya Grube, G.F.R.R., 85-82--167.
Blue Jay results: 20. Wolsky, 89-84--173; 24. Vogel, 88-87--175; 44. Hibl, 91-93--184; 49. Nieswaag, 101-86--187; 65. Sorlie, 101-97--198; 84. Grace LeFevre, 111-112--223.
