Girls Golf: Red Wing goes back to state with 60-stroke victory

CANNON FALLS - Red Wing shattered the previous Section 1AAA record Monday en route to a 60-stroke victory at Cannon Falls Golf Club to secure a trip to the Class 3A state girls golf tournament and a chance to win back-to-back state titles.

The Wingers finished with a two-round 649, besting the previous Section 1AAA record 661 set by Eagan. Northfield was second with a 709 and Lakeville North took third, notching a 713.

Senior Marisa Toivonen was the meet medalist with a 156 for Red Wing, shooting a 73 in round one and an 83 on day two. It was the Wingers first medalist since Samantha Braschler in 2002.

Red Wing also had five golfers finish in the top eight in the section.

“It was supposed to be a rebuilding year,” Red Wing sophomore Nicole Schammel said. “We’ve been able to come through and surprise everyone with how well we’ve played all year.”

Schammel shot an impressive 75 Monday and came in fourth place with a 163.

“She just played great,” Red Wing head coach Mark Herzog said. “I think she was disappointed with the way she played Thursday. She hit her irons poorly Thursday. The big thing today was iron play.”

Schammel spent much of the day in cruise control. Despite losing two balls during her round she recovered both times with decent scores. On the par-5 18th, she put her drive into water but hit the next shot on the green.

“It was a good step towards going to Bunker Hills,” Schammel said of prepping for the state tournament. “I was more comfortable with my game. I was more aggressive. I’ll go into it with confidence and that’s really important.”

The Wingers also got a career-low round from ninth-grader Reagan Haley. Haley shot an 84 Monday and finished in seventh place with a 171. Senior Katie Kesti played an up-and-down on the second day but still tallied an 81 and ended right behind Toivonen in second place with a 160.

Red Wing seventh-grader Stephanie Herzog also continued her consistent play, shooting an 86. She took eighth place with a 173 and the pressure of playing for her father in addition to competing against older players hasn’t fazed her, Mark Herzog said.

“Stephanie, for a seventh-grader, has been very impressive,” he said.

Junior Maddie Flack had a good round on day one but struggled on two holes Monday to shoot a 90. She still tied for 11th with a 177.

Despite graduating four seniors from last year’s state championship team, Red Wing was still favored in the section but Mark Herzog said he didn’t expect the Wingers to be quite this good.

“I thought we’d be good,” he said. “This is a really good team but we’re a little better than I thought. … I like the way the middle of the lineup is improving.”

The Wingers had difficulty with the last few holes Monday -- Toivonen was just 3-over after 15 holes -- but they have the talent to compete at the state tournament, Herzog said.

“They were disappointed with how they finished,” he said. “We have to play really well next week. There isn’t margin to finish like we did today.”

Red Wing will take part in the Class 3A girls state golf tournament June 12-13 at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids.

Tags: girls golf, red wing, sports, prep