Girls golf team ties for 13th at state

The girls golf team tied for 13th place at the state tournament, which was held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday, May 15-16.

Senior Maureen Broadbent led the Outlaws in individual scoring with 101/100 (201). Alexis Wainwright was just one stroke back at 109/93 (202). Shelby Ross posted scores of 111/105 (216) and Meghan Crowder 109/128 (237). Claire Mutchler carded a 116 on the first day of the tournament and Jessica Little shot a 128 for the Outlaws on the second day.

Coach Mary Flande had words of praise for each of her players:

“We had several players score their career best at the tournament. Maureen Broadbent had a personal best on Monday and on Tuesday improved that score as well. I’m so happy for Maureen. Being the only senior on the team and ending her high school golf career with her best is just awesome.”

Flande said that “Claire (Mutchler) also had a personal best on Monday. She has improved so much over the season. Alexis (Wainwright) turned in a solid round on Tuesday and walked away with a 93, a personal best for her as well. I’ve always believed Alexis could shoot in the low 90s this season and I’m very happy she reached that goal.

“Shelby (Ross) and Meghan (Crowder) played well both days and have been solid and consistent all season. Jessica (Little) finished strong on the second day. Jessica and Claire shared the fifth spot and both played well.”

For freshman Shelby Ross, the entire year was a great experience.

“It was awesome making the golf team as a freshman,” said Ross. “It was a great experience for me and I got to play with other girls who already knew the game and they taught me a lot along the way. At state I was very scared and nervous, especially on the first day. I fell apart the first five holes. Flande helped me a lot, calmed me down and told me just to play my game.”

The words of encouragement worked, as Ross went on to lower her score the second day by six strokes.

Maureen Broadbent commented on her four years of golf coming to a close.

“It’s been an experience, that’s for sure,” said Broadbent. “When I started as a freshman I didn’t really even know what a golf club looked like. But I never felt like I was looked down upon because my scores weren’t good and I didn’t know what I was doing. I think the only reason I finally became successful was because the whole program was so supportive and encouraging.

“I’ve learned a lot about golf the past four years but I think I’ve learned more about life through the experience,” she said. “As a freshman I learned so much by the example of others of how to be a respectful person and I think that taught me how to set that example as a senior and give it to others.”

As for saving her best performance of her career for the state tournament Maureen said, “I really didn’t do anything differently technically. I think I was just finally relaxed and really focused for the first time and my score just came down as a result of that.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of these girls,” said Flande. “This team is young and had very little varsity experience returning. This team worked hard all season and believed in themselves and the efforts payed off with a trip to the state tournament. Playing in the state tournament is valuable experience for such a young team.”