Being the defending state champions coming into Monday’s first day, the Wayne High girls golf team set some high standards for themselves for the Class C State Girls Golf Championships.
The Blue Devils battled through some early hiccups and will start the second day Tuesday in 11th place after a first-day score of 412 Monday at Lake Maloney Golf Club.
Coach Josh Johnson said the Blue Devils overcame some early butterflies and played better as the day went along.
“They came out a little sluggish early, but they battled like they always do and pushed through it,” he said.
As the defending state champions, Johnson said the girls felt as if they could have performed better than what they did Monday.
“As much as we kept telling ourselves let’s just go out and have fun, we’re still battling to see what we can do,” he said. “I talked to a few of the girls who I thought had good rounds and they said they could have done so much better, so that’s a good testament to why they’re successful.”
Returning state medalist Carli Canham paced the Wayne girls with a round of 90, which leaves her two shots out of the top 15 that will receive medals after Tuesday’s second day.
Canham struggled on the front nine after opening with a pair of pars, but seemed to find a groove on the back nine, highlighted by a nice approach on the 13th that led to a seven-footer for birdie that she holed.
Hallie Heithold, who was also a member of last year’s varsity, was two shots behind her classmate with a 92. She was up-and-down through a front-nine 48, but after a triple bogey on 13, she settled down and was 3-over on the last five holes.
Senior Rylynn Owen started on the back nine and struggled through the first four holes, but eventually worked out some of those early troubles and shot a 104.
Senior Claire Reinke and freshman Avery Gubbels also struggled on their first nine holes. Reinke finished with a 126 while Gubbels finished with a 145.
Class C Girls State Golf Championships
Day One Team Standings
Minden 328, Columbus Scotus 362, Adams Central 365, Sutton 376, West Holt 377, Grand Island CC 383, Battle Creek 388, Valentine 933, Boone Central 406, EMF 408, Wayne 412, Lincoln Christian 419, Chadron 423, Central City 425, Gothenburg 453.
Top 10 Individuals
1. KayLynn Jorgensen, Minden, 74; 2. Macy Jorgensen, Minden, 78; 3. Daleni Knust, West Holt, 80; 4. (tie) Mia Hiebner, H&H; and Peyton Hartman, Adams Central, 81; 6. Shelby Nelson, Minden, 82; 7. Addison Rehnberg, Holdrege, 84; 8. (tie) Makenzie Claussen, GICC; and Rylee Altwine, Pierce, 86; 10. (tie) Molliel Miller, West Point-Beemer; Natalie Bendfeldt, Gibbon; and Abigail Klooz, EMF, 88.
Area Results
WAYNE — Carli Canham 90, Hallie Heithold 92, Rylynn Owen 104, Claire Reinke 126, Avery Gubbels 145.
Tuesday Wayne tee times
9:36 a.m.- Owen (Hole 10)
10:03 a.m.- Heithold (Hole 1)
10:30 a.m.- Canham (Hole 1)
10:57 a.m.- Reinke (Hole 10)
11:15 a.m.- Gubbels (Hole 10)
