Bergmann goes back-to-back

By JEREMY BEHNKE — Journal Sports Editor






WASECA — While most golfers would be pleased with an 83 and a conference championship, New Ulm’s Sam Bergmann simply stated she needed to get better.

Bergmann fired an 83, winning the South Central Conference girl’s golf meet Thursday at Lakeside Golf Course by nine strokes over Blue Earth Area’s Jessica Skaare and St. Peter’s Christina Kisch (92).

It helped Bergmann win her second straight SCC title points-wise because of points accumulated throughout the season with 132 points, and she remained unbeaten in conference play this season.

But Bergmann’s goal is to shoot in the 70s, and she missed that goal on Thursday. Regardless, she didn’t have much competition atop the SCC girls leaderboard.

“I was so excited to play in the hot, nice weather that I forgot to concentrate,” Bergmann said. “I really tried not to worry about the weather, I just tried to play my game.”

The subsection meet is Monday for the Eagles. Bergmann said she’s not ready for it yet, despite the fact that she’s been burying the competition all season long.

“No, I’m not prepared, I need to get prepared fast,” she said. “I need to be more precise on my shots and I need to get on the green in regulation.”

The Eagles finished the SCC meet fifth with a team score of 418 but fourth in the season standings with 16 points. Waseca won both the meet and the standings race (403, 28 season points), edging Fairmont (405, 24 SCC points for third overall) in Thursday’s battle. Blue Earth Area was third Thursday with a 409 and second in the season points race with 26. St. James finished with a 417 and took fifth in the SCC standings with 12 points and St. Peter finished last in both categories (424, 8 points).

Meanwhile, Bergmann was named All-Conference, along with Skaare (120 SCC points), Fairmont’s Mackenzie Edgington (118), Waseca’s Erica Dennis (114), BEA’s Ally Ewest (104), Waseca’s Sophie Tuttle (104), St. James’ Danielle Kircher (100) and St. Peter’s Emma Ziebarth (100).

After Bergmann, New Ulm was led by Miranda McKeeth (103), Leah Nelsen (110), Hailie Holm (122) and Sara Keller (122). Waseca was led by Dennis, Tuttle (100), Brianna Nelson (104) and Katie Harvey (106).

Waseca (403): Erica Dennis 93, Sophie Tuttle 100, Brianna Nelson 104, Katie Harvey 106. Other Waseca scores: Kjerstin Dennis 111, Sammy Davis 118.

Fairmont (405): Mackenzie Edgington 93, Tori Edgington 98, Britney Ostlie 101, Hayley Grefe 113. Other Fairmont scores: Kate Laue 116, Lizzie Larson 118.

BEA (409): Jessica Skaare 92, Ally Ewest 98, Mackenzie Lein 105, Olivia Skaare 114. Other BEA scores: Stephanie Wolff 118, Morgan Dickman 120.

St. James (417): Kelsey Nelson 99, Danielle Kircher 101, Jazanne Brass 108, Carleen Lunz 109. No other St. James scores.

New Ulm (418): Sam Bergmann 83, Miranda McKeeth 103, Leah Nelsen 110, Hailie Holm, Sara Keller 122. Other New Ulm score: Lora Hlavsa 124.

St. Peter (424): Christina Kisch 92, Emma Ziebarth 105, Kelsey Kuiper 112, Katy Kuiper 115. Other St. Peter scores: Raunatta Hill 121, Anastasia Nereson 137.