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NSC Invite at Theodore Wirth GC

St. Louis Park hosted this North Suburban Conference invite at Theodore Wirth Golf Club.

The Wildcats knew from the get-go that they'd be in a tough spot on the day. Two of their best golfers, Krista Liebsch and Sadie Williamson were gone due to school testing. Aubrey Lawlor and Alex Hawkinson also both missed the meet for the Wildcats, leaving only two of the regular six varsity members to fend off the challenging NSC teams.

The two remaining members, Sam Nelson and Rachel Swanson, had good days for the Wildcats. Nelson carded a 53 and Swanson shot a 56.

To get a complete varsity team score, the Wildcats needed at least four varsity golfers. Kelsey Braski and Sara Sontag stepped up for Chisago Lakes and did a respectable job. Kelsey shot a 65 for the 'Cats, and Sara had a 76. "I give credit to Kelsey and Sara," Head Coach Jeanne Hawkinson said. "It may not have been their best day on the course, but it gave our team four scores."

Unfortunately, the four scores for the Wildcats put them in ninth out of 10 teams, but Hawkinson said she was just pleased that they had a complete score.

Emily Kvidera of Spring Lake Park shot a 40 to take home the top honors at the meet.

Mora Scramble

In a fun format for the girls, the Wildcats had a blast playing a scramble and vying for the top spots.

"The girls love this tournament, it's much more laid back and they can have fun without as much pressure," Hawkinson explained. The scramble is a best ball tournament, as two girls from each team pair up, and each time, they only shoot from the best shot of the previous attempt.

As a team, the Wildcats did well, finishing fifth out of 13 teams with a score of 174. They were only 10 strokes behind the meet winner, St. Francis. Liebsch and Williamson paired up for the Wildcats' best score. They carded an 83, which put them in third place behind teams from St. Francis and Cambridge.

Lawlor and Braski shot a combined 91, and the sister team of Same and Katie Nelson came in with a score of 93.

NSC Invite at Baker National GC

The week capped off with another mix-and-match lineup for the Wildcats. This time, Sam Nelson and Swanson were absent from the lineup.

Liebsch led the way for the 'Cats, shooting a 53 to lead the team.

After Liebsch, Alex Hawkinson, Lawlor and Williamson were all bunched in a little pack, as Hawkinson carded a 66, Lawlor a 67 and Williamson a 69. "This was a tough course with many hills and uneven lies," Hawkinson explained. "It is also very tight and narrow. It's a challenge and a change from what we've been playing."

The Wildcats finished ninth out of 10 teams again, carding a team total of 255. Irondale won the meet with an impressive 178. "They are a very deep team with a lot of talent," Hawkinson said of the conference-leading Knights. "Their number six player shot a 55, and on most teams that is part of the team score.

Kvidera won the meet again as an individual, shooting a 40.

The girls wrap up their regular season with a conference meet this afternoon, Thursday, May 14. Their primary focus at the conference meet is to get everyone prepared for their big moment at sectionals at Hinckley Grand National Golf Course in Hinckley.

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