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Jeanne Hawkinson knew one thing and one thing only heading into the Rum River conference girls golf tourney last Friday- the Wildcats needed to win at least one nine-hole round to clinch at least a share of the conference title.

The tourney, which was held in North Branch, consists of two nine-hole rounds. Points scored throughout the meet, with the results from the regular season, determines the conference champ. Heading in, the race was between Chisago Lakes and Milaca.

The suspense lasted nine holes for Chisago. Determined to do their part, the ‘Cats won the first nine holes, defeating Milaca by three strokes. The Wildcats scored a 191 as a team, giving them at least a share of the title. Jenna Merry once again led the way with the low score, coming in with a 45. Megan Corradi followed Merry by shooting a 48 for the round, and Krista Liebsch and Andrea Nickelson each shot 49’s.

So with one win down, the ‘Cats went back to the course, hoping to win the second round of nine holes as well. If they did, the Wildcats would win the conference title outright.

However, Milaca felt left out. After losing the first round by three strokes, the Wolves shot a 188, 10 strokes ahead of Pine City who finished second. That win gave Milaca the other half of the conference title. Chisago Lakes finished 15 strokes off the lead, putting them third. Based on the points system, the ‘Cats needed to finish second to win the conference trophy. Because of that, the Wildcats and Wolves finished as co-conference champs.

“If we would have taken second on the back nine, we would be sole champions,” mentioned Hawkinson, Chisago Lakes head girls golf coach. “The fact that we couldn’t break 50 on the second nine and Pine City played one of their best rounds, that knocked us out of the championship on our own.

“Both Milaca and Pine City played great. They are both competitive teams,” continued Hawkinson. “My girls thought we had lost it all. I didn’t tell them we were co-champs until the team trophy was handed out. They were so excited. I am very proud of them, I knew they could do it. It’s been such a fantastic season. I couldn’t be happier. The girls deserved it.”

Rum River Conference:

Final team standings-

1. Chisago Lakes

1. Milaca

3. Princeton

4. Pine City

5. North Branch

6. Mora

7. Foley

8. Big Lake

9. STMA

*Co-conference champions

Chisago Lakes results:

Round one-

Jenna Merry 45

Megan Corradi 48

Krista Liebsch 49

Andrea Nickelson 49

Jaime Tschida 51

Krista Swanson 53

Chisago Lakes results:

Round two-

Krista Liebsch 50

Andrea Nickelson 50

Jenna Merry 51

Megan Corradi 52

Krista Swanson 54

Jaime Tschida 59

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