BECKER — The challenge was clear, even after a state championship: Get better.
That was the goal for the
Dawson-Boyd girls golf team after its improbable Class A title last June
. With five golfers back, it was a possibility for sure. And the Blackjacks have managed it.
“All five have improved from a year ago,” Dawson-Boyd head coach Cory Larson said. “All five have their scoring averages down. It’s been a really good year.”
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
Dawson-Boyd won the Section 5A championship May 28 in Willmar by 90 strokes, shooting a 671. The Blackjacks will be one of the favorites at the state Class A meet that begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Pebble Creek in Becker. The final round is Wednesday.
Dawson-Boyd is led by defending state champion Lindsey Lund, a senior who won her second straight
. Junior Alyssa Swedzinski took third in 5A. Ninth-grader Kylar Hjelmeland was fourth. Claire Stratmoen, another ninth-grader, finished 10th and sophomore Laura Schreier finished 16th.
Lund is one of eight finalists for Minnesota’s Ms. Golf Award, given to the outstanding senior.
Also heading to state in the girls’ division are Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City’s Brooke Brekke, Lac qui Parle Valley’s Molly Halvorson and Kate Ulstad, and Community Christian School’s Margo Klaassen and Hope Reid.
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
also is headed to state after winning Section 5A by 23 strokes over Dawson-Boyd, shooting a 658. Section champion Carson Besonen leads the way for the Eagles. Teammate Griffin Kranz took third in 5A. Noah Arndt (t-14th), Kaidyn Stender (24), Gavin Carl (t-25) and Aaron Bonn (35) also play Tuesday for LQPV.
Also heading to state in Class A are Renville County West senior Ryan Schrupp, ACGC freshman Austin Quale, Benson seventh-grader Connor Larson, Dawson-Boyd sophomore Carson Stratmoen and Central Minnesota Christian School sophomore Carter Taatjes.
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
Class A boys teams in state, with their final section scores, are: Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (624), Bader-Green Bush-Middle River (636), Lakeview (651), Legacy Christian Academy (651), Park Christian (664), Rushford-Peterson (669) and Sleepy Eye United (678).
In Class A girls, the Blackjacks compete for the state team title against New Life Academy of Woodbury (588), Park Christian (690), Fillmore Central (724), Murray County Central (748), Badger-Green Bush-Middle River (749), Sleepy Eye United (813) and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (830).
Just based on section scores, Dawson-Boyd is a top-two team heading into state.
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
“At this point, it’s really just not getting ahead of yourself,” Larson said of his hope for the Blackjacks’ mental focus. “Stay invested in the next shot. Stay in the moment. Stay in that shot and don’t start thinking about the end of the round. Just enjoy it. It’s a great opportunity.”
For Dawson-Boyd, the spring state tournaments wrap up a memorable year in athletics. The boys basketball team, coached by Larson, won the state tournament. LQPV/DB’s dance team also won state jazz and high kick championships. And, the baseball team won the Camden Conference title and earned a top seed in section play.
“It’s fun,” Larson said. “Winning is fun. We’ve had a great amount of that. It’s a really great senior class.”