Redwood Valley edged Minnewaska by 30 strokes to win the Section 3AA Girls Golf Tournament last Wednesday at the Oakdale Golf Course in Buffalo Lake.

Redwood Valley had an eight-stroke lead over the Lakers after the first day, but the Cardinals topped the field by 11 strokes the second day and extended its lead over the Lakers to 30 strokes to avenge a loss to Minnewaska last year.

During the 2022 Section 3AA Finals, the Lakers and Redwood were tied after the first day before Minnewaska earned the section title by one stroke the second day.

Ava Kollman and Arivia DeBoer did earn state individual trips for the Lakers.  Kollman was fifth overall and DeBoer was sixth.  Just missing out on a state berth was Annika DeBoer.

The Lakers, coached by Tony Janu, Sarah Iverson and Brett Thorfinnson, won the WCC title this year, winning all eight WCC meets.  The team does not have any seniors this spring.

The State Girls Golf Tourney is set for June 13-14 at Ridges on Sand Creek in Jordan.  Last year, the Lakers placed fourth at the state meet as a team, while Berkley Steffen had the top finish at 21st, followed by Alissa Thorfinnson in 25th and Arivia DeBoer in 33rd place.

Section 3AA Prelims

Redwood Valley had the two lowest scores on the way to winning the Section 3AA Prelims last Wednesday.  Julian Brown had a 76 to earn medalist honors, while teammate Mila Jenniges added a 78 to place second.

Annika DeBoer led the Lakers with a round of 80 to place fourth, while Ava Kollman carded an 81 to tie for fifth, Arivia DeBoer had an 84 to place seventh and Lexi Barsness added a 97 to tie for 23rd.

Section 3AA Finals

Redwood Valley dominated the field on the second day to claim the Section 3AA girls team title last Wednesday at Oakdale GC in Buffalo Lake.

Redwood had a 334 on the first day to go ahead of Minnewaska Area by eight strokes, but the Cardinals shot a 345 the second day, which was 22 strokes better than the Lakers and 11 strokes better than Worthington on the second day.

Redwood also had the top two golfers as Julian Brown shot a 154 (76-78) and Mila Jenniges carded a 155 (78-77) to lead all golfers.

Ava Kollman, a ninth-grader, led the Lakers with a 167 total on rounds of 81 and 86 to place fifth and earn a state trip.

Joining her at state will be sophomore Arivia DeBoer, who was sixth place overall with a 169 total on rounds of 84 and 85.

Just missing out on a state berth was freshman Annika DeBoer, who carded a 175 on rounds of 80 and 95 to place eighth, while also golfing for the Lakers was sophomore Lexi Barsness, who had a 198 total (97-101) to place 27th overall.

The top team and top five golfers from the other teams earn state berths.

Section 3AA Prelims

Girls team scoring:  

(1) Redwood Valley 334  (2) Minnewaska 342  (3) Fairmont 354  (4) Worthington 370  (5) Marshall 379, Litchfield 397, NLS 400, Luverne 429, New Ulm 447, Jackson CC 454, Minnesota Valley Luth 484, Morris Area 492

Girls top five:  

(1) Julian Brown, RV 76  (2) Mila Jenniges, RV 78  (3) Brooke Brekke, ACGC 79  (4) Annika DeBoer, Min 80  (5) tie, Ava Kollman, Min; and Anika Haugen, Fair, both 81

Minnewaska results:  (4) Annika DeBoer 80  (5) Ava Kollman 81  (7) Arivia DeBoer 84  (23) Lexi Barsness 97

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Section 3AA Finals

Girls team scoring:  

(1) Redwood Valley 334-345–679  (2) Minnewaska 342-367–709  (3) Worthington 370-356–726 and Fairmont 354-372–726  (5) Marshal 379-408–787

Girls top five:  

(1) Julian Brown, RV 76-78–154  (2) Mila Jenniges, RV 78-77–155  (3) Brooke Brekke, ACGC 79-84–163  (4) Anika Haugen, RV 81-83–164  (5) Ava Kollman, Minnewaska 81-86–167 . . . Also to state — (6) Arivia DeBoer, Minnewaska 84-85–169  (7) Lilly Mahlberg, Worthington 85-86–171

Minnewaska results:  (5) Ava Kollman 81-86–167  (6) Arivia DeBoer 84-85–169  (8) Annika DeBoer 80-95–175  (27) Lexi Barsness 97-101–198

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