---

Most times, a third place finish can be a ho-hum affair. On one hand, you can always do better. On the other, you could’ve done worse.

Last Thursday, the North Branch girls golf team shot themselves into a third place finish at the Milaca Invite, except this time, there was nothing ho-hum about it. Not only did the Vikings finish 17 strokes behind conference power Milaca, but they finished in front of conference counterparts Pine City, Princeton, Foley, Big Lake, Mora, and St. Michael-Albertville.

In addition, Hanna Lindberg carded one of the best rounds of the day, shooting a 94, her best score of the year.

“I’m happy, especially with how we did on the front nine,” remarked Dave Ambers, North Branch head girls golf coach. “The kids struggled on the back nine a little bit. The greens were small and the wind was blowing, so it made it hard to hit them, but the girls had a great front nine and came in with a 191. It was by far our best round of the year.”

Along with Lindberg’s 94, tying her for sixth overall, Amy Aho came in four strokes behind her, shooting a 98. Lacee Scherer and Kelsey Perreault followed with a 105 and 108 respectively.

Milaca Invite

Team Results-

1. St. Cloud Cathedral 374

2. Milaca 388

3. North Branch 405

4. Pine City 417

5. Princeton 419

6. Foley 424

7. Big Lake 435

8. Mora 464

9. STMA 484

North Branch scores-

Hanna Lindberg 94

Amy Aho 98

Lacee Scherer 105

Kelsey Perreault 108

Sara Schwalbe 110

Kelsey Johnson 126

North Branch 211

Princeton 215

Asked if he was surprised by his team’s start, Dave Ambers responded truthfully.

“I thought we had a chance. I guess I’m surprised that we haven’t had an off day bad enough for somebody to beat us,” said Ambers.

It looked like Princeton was going to walk away with a win until Kelsey Perreault and Kelsey Johnson walked into the clubhouse. The Vikings fifth and sixth golfers carded a 51 and 54, putting North Branch over the hump, keeping their perfect duel meet record in tact, now 5-0 after a four stroke win.

“The two Kelsey’s saved us,” smiled Ambers. “Until they came in, it looked like Princeton was going to win.”

Kelsey Johnson led the Vikings, finishing with a 51. In addition, Hanna Lindberg followed with a 52, and Perreault Amy Aho shot 54’s. The win kept North Branch in a first place tie with Milaca in conference play.

“Once again, our team depth enabled us to win,” remarked Ambers. “I’ve said it before, I think we have a chance to compete with everybody in the conference except maybe Milaca. I wouldn’t say I’ve been surprised by the way we have played, just pleasantly pleased.”

In case you’re wondering, the Vikings go head-to-head with Milaca this Thursday on the road before finishing up their regular season schedule with sections.

North Branch 211

Princeton 215

Medalist:

Angie Haehn (Princeton) 47

North Branch scores-

Kelsey Johnson 51

Hanna Lindberg 52

Amy Aho 54

Kelsey Perreault 54

Lacee Scherer 57

Sara Schwalbe 57

---