Photo by Charlie Sorrells/Fairmont Sentinel Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Nadine Clobes, Springfield’s Mackenzie Lothert and New Ulm Cathedral’s Kayla Goblirsch will represent Section 2A at the Class A state girls’ golf meet in Becker on Tuesday and Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD — As one of the state’s top girls’ golfers, Springfield senior Mackenzie Lothert had to find new teammates to practice with this year since she was the only girls’ golfer on her team.

So Lothert found new teammates to practice with and that seemed to work out just fine for her.

Lothert decided that competing with the boys’ golf team in Springfield would get her motivated this year. And by the way, the Springfield boys’ golf team also qualified for the state meet as a team, so the challenge was pretty tough.

“I think that being with the guys makes me push myself harder, because the boys are obviously very competitive,” Lothert said. “They’re up there [at state] and they’re talented, so it makes me push myself, especially in practices. I do shots that I normally wouldn’t take. Surrounding myself with them makes me want to do well with them.”

This is Lothert’s fourth time competing at the state meet, each time heading up with her team. She finished 14th last year and she wants to improve on that this year. This year, she’s on her own and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to finish her career on a high note.

“I think the first and second time that I went up there, the nerves really got me,” Lothert said. “Last year the nerves were definitely less — granted they were there, but they were definitely less, so I think that helps having experience up there so that I’m not so shaky, I’m just confident in my game and just carrying through with it. I’m just confident in my game.”

Joining her at the state meet will be Section 2A champion Kayla Goblirsch from New Ulm Cathedral. Goblirsch dominated the section meet and she’s heading to the Class A meet in Becker for the third time. That’s a remarkable feat in itself, but even more so considering she’s just a freshman.

“I would definitely say it’s more difficult than North Links (in North Mankato, where the Section 2A meet was) especially one of the nines there is a lot harder for me,” Goblirsch said. “But I think that this year I can place better, I’m just more consistent.”

Minnesota Valley Lutheran sophomore Nadine Clobes is making her state tournament debut. She’s the first girls’ golfer from MVL to ever qualify for the event and she knows it’ll be a tough course, but she’s looking forward to the experience.

“I’m excited,” she said. “It’s so awesome because hard work really does pay off. I’m just going to go and play my game.”

Cedar Mountain’s Shaylee Schiller will also compete at the meet.

On the boys’ side, Springfield ended Sleepy Eye United’s run of Section 2 dominance when the Tigers beat the Indians by one stroke. The Indians will send Andrew Neid and Logan Netzke to the state meet as individuals. New Ulm Cathedral’s Logan Haala and Madelia’s Carson Wihlm will also compete on Tuesday and Wednesday.