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The Viking girls took a step back at Bunker Hills Monday, April 28 when they finished last of nine North Suburban Conference schools. On the east side of the Ham Lake course, the Vikings carded a 244. The west course proved to be even more challenging for the young Vikings, where they totalled 250. Irondale won both nines and the overall points by recording scores of 182 and 191.

Said North Branch coach Dave Ambers, "The conditions were miserable for the girls. It was in the upper 30's with a strong north wind and occasional snow flurries. However, I have to give the girls a lot of credit. Despite the fact that we were by far the youngest team on the course, they didn't complain much. They went out and ignored the weather and did their job. We played four eighth graders and two sophomores and they did the best they could."

North Branch Scores

Katie Foley 51 47 98

Laurel Dresel 56 59 115

Cassedy Coleman

68 69 137

Lauren Ibinger 71 75 146

Kelsey Anderson

69 78 147

Greta Lindberg 79 83 162

Total 244 250 496

"Katie (Foley) continues to impress me. She had her best-ever nine-hole score after being out in those frigid conditions all day. Her 47, combined with the 51 she carded on the first nine, also gave her a new personal best 18 in competition. Laurel (Dresel) also seems to be coming along. She kept it under 60 for two consecutive rounds on a tough course," coach Ambers added.

The girls returned home to play Chisago Lakes Baptist and Pine City at North Branch Golf Course Thursday, May 1. While team scores weren't kept for the other teams, the Vikings took a big step forward by recording a nifty 221.

North Branch Scores

Katie Foley 47

Emily Juve 53

Cassedy Coleman 57

Lauren Ibinger 64

Rachel Aho 71

Kelsey Anderson 76

Total 221

Ambers continued, "The girls really played well. This was a number I didn't think we had a chance to see this year. Katie tied her all-time low despite getting eights on two of her first three holes. She didn't have anything bigger than five the other seven . Emily (Juve) had a very nice round. After getting off to a rough start with a nine on the first hole, she didn't have anything but fives and sixes. And, Cassedy (Coleman) and Lauren (Ibinger) had their lowest rounds ever. This has to encourage all off us."

The Vikings tee off at Victory Links in Blaine at 3:30 today, Thursday, May 8 before going to St. Francis for a 4:00 shotgun start Monday, May 12. Both events are nine-hole NSC meets.

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