Area notebook: Local athletes hit the links

Red Wing’s Mark Giorgi recently wrapped up a strong fall season with the Saint John’s University men’s golf team.

In the Johnnies’ most recent competition, Giorgi was part of a nine-way tie for medalist honors at the Twin Cities Classic last weekend. His two-under par score of 70 helped him earn Co-Athlete of the Week in men’s golf for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Saint John’s, which was ranked No. 7 in the most recent Golf World Division III poll, won the Twin Cities Classic and also won the MIAC Championships earlier this month. In that competition, Giorgi took third place with a 223 and earned All-MIAC recognition.

Giorgi competed in five tournaments during his freshman year. He took 10th in the Bemidji State Invitational, 46th in the Saint John’s Fall Invitational and fifth in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational. He finished with a 75.3 average for the fall.

By winning the conference championship, the Johnnies will make their 11th straight trip to the NCAA Division III Championship in Hershey, Pa., May 11-14.

Also competing for the Johnnies was Lake City’s Alex Wallerich.

Wallerich, a sophomore, golfed in four tournaments. His best finish was 14th at the Saint John’s Fall Invitational. He also took 20th at the Twin Cities Classic, 33rd at the Bemidji State Invitational and 54th at the St. Olaf Invitational. He finished with a 78.1 average.

•Britta Hendrickson of Red Wing also earned All-MIAC honors when she tied for sixth place in the women’s golf tournament. Hendrickson, golfing for St. Olaf College, shot a 248.

In the Division III Midwest Classic earlier in the fall, Hendrickson tied for 18th place. The former Red Wing standout was able to compete in the two tournaments after the fifth-year senior won an eligibility appeal. She did not participate in golf her freshman year.

Tags: sports notebook, mark giorgi, alex wallerich, britta hendrickson, red wing, lake city, sports, golf