Eggert leads Shawano to 3rd-place finish at girls golf invitational

Oconto Falls takes 4th, Bonduel 7th
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

The Shawano Community High School girls golf team finished in third place behind a big day from Sophia Eggert at the Oconto Falls Invitational on Sept. 13 at River Island Golf Course in Oconto Falls.

Eggert carded an 18-hole round of 89 to lead Shawano, which had a team score of 419. The 89 for Eggert helped her tie for the top individual score on the day. The Hawks finished behind Wrightstown (396) and Marinette (399).

Oconto Falls turned in a team score of 428 to place fourth. The Panthers also had a junior varsity team in action, and that group took eighth with a score of 473.

Bonduel and Pulaski were among the other teams at the invitational. Bonduel took seventh with a mark of 442, while Pulaski’s golfers accumulated a score of 508. Pulaski sent a varsity team to an invitational in Sheboygan.

Eggert fired a 44 on the front nine before a 45 on the back nine for her round of 89.

“That gave me confidence but also something to motivate me,” said Eggert.

Braylyn Babino carded a round of 102 for the Hawks, while Riley Dreier fired a 107. Alli Johnson (121) was the golfer who rounded out the team score.

Shawano was down a golfer on the day, making the team’s finish even more meaningful.

“Today we were a golfer short,” Eggert said. “It proved that if you play your game and shoot a good score, we can still place good as a team.”

“It was a big loss without our No. 1 golfer today. But after today, it showed that we could persevere as a team and have confidence to play at a higher level,” said Babino, who tied for eighth as an individual.

The Oconto Falls varsity team was led by Kate Pytleski, but it was JV golfer Lexi Nelson who posted the best round of the day at 102. Both golfers finished among the invitational’s 12 top golfers.

Pytleski carded a 103 to tie for the 10th spot as an individual. Nelson was one of two golfers at a 102, tied for the eighth-best round.

Danielle Darby and Kenadee Seidl each fired rounds of 107 for the Panthers’ varsity team. Alexis Euclide (111) and Kloeigh Seidl (115) capped the balanced team.

“I really think that we were able to golf the way we did today was because of how close and supportive our team is,” said Darby. “We all have things each of us need to work on and and struggle with, but all of us motivate each other to do our very best. I know for myself, I wouldn’t be golfing as good if I didn’t have my team there pushing me.”

Amber Krause (114) and Gina Sconzert (115) had the next best rounds behind Nelson on the JV team. Hailey Kopke (142) and Ava Salscheider (152) capped the five-golfer team.

It was Sarah Garside leading Bonduel on the course, posting a round of 103 to tie for 10th as an individual.

Thea Tauchen (107) and Ava Pleshek (109) had similar showings on the day, finishing the day with better scores on the back nine.

“Honestly, at first I could not hit anything, but as I kept going, it slowly got better,” said Tauchen of her round. “I shot a 107, which isn’t terrible and I’m pretty content with it. Personally, I need to work on my chipping more than anything.”

Meghan Wondra (122) and Raina Dworniczak (123) rounded out the Bears’ team.

“Since this was our first individual 18-hole meet, I think it was a great way to prepare everyone for conference and regionals that’s coming up,” said Pleshek. “It will also help build our confidence and stay positive for when we have to golf 18 again later in the season. Our team has a lot of room for improvement, but we make the most of it when we’re out there playing.”

Pulaski’s team was led by Katie Fuiten’s round of 118. Danika Holewinski carded a 120.

Maggie Jandrin (134), Savannah Malicoat (136) and Amelia Rassmuson (139) capped the team.

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