Lady Jays Golf
Lady Jays Fight through at Districts, Sending Two to state
By Natasha Zamora
The Bluejay golfers putted their way to the districts at Atkinson on October 6, finishing with fourth place with the score of 432.
The Bluejays finished just seven strokes short of qualifying for state as a team. Although the team did not qualify, two Pierce golfers earned individual spots for the state tournament.
Junior Camassia White led the Bluejays, earning sixth place with the score of 94. Junior Brooke Podany who also qualified for state after placing eighth with a 99.
Seniors Addison Frye placed 34th and shot a 126, while senior Brailey Jensen shot a 114 and placed 22nd. Junior Jaelyn Jensen finished 32nd with a score of 125.
Coach Jason Freudenburg said the team showed a lot of resilience throughout the tournament.
“They showed a lot of resiliency. Some of our golfers didn’t have very good front nine,” Freudenburg said.
Freudenburg said he was proud of how the golfers continued to fight for the team, even when they were not having their best rounds. He also said the team improved mentally and physically throughout the season.
Podany said she was excited to qualify for state, especially because she did not expect to reach that goal at the beginning of the season.
“I was pretty excited. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t think I would be anywhere near qualifying for state, but I started to improve through the season,” Podany said.
Podany also said staying positive was one of her biggest challenges during districts. She struggled with moving on to the next shot without overthinking after a bad hole.
For White, qualifying for state was a rewarding moment after the time and effort she put into golf throughout the season.
“When I realized that I had qualified for state, I was very proud of myself because all the time and effort I had put into golf up to this point had finally paid off,” White said.
White said putting and chipping were the biggest improvements in her game this season, helping her lower her score compared to last year.
Before state, White plans to work on her drives, confidence and pitch shots. She is also excited to share the experience with Podany.
“It feels really good to be able to experience state golf with one of my teammates,” White said. “I’m excited to see how we both do at state.”
Freudenburg said he wants the golfers to trust their preparation, stay relaxed and continue working on the little things before competing at state.
White and Podany compete at the state golf tournament in North Platte. Both golfers will look to finish their season strong and represent Pierce.
Pierce Girls Putt Away at Mid-State Golf
By Riley Lawrence
Girls golf had recent success at Mid-State golf hosted by Guardian Angels Central Catholic on Thursday, October 1, held at Indian Trails Country Club
The Bluejays were able to send their varsity and JV girls golfers. Starting with the girls varsity golfers, Camassia White led the way shooting a 102 earning herself third place. Then Brooke Podany shot a 109, earning ninth place. Brailey Jensen also shot a 115. Addison Frye shot a 126. And to finish things off for varsity, Jaelyn Jensen shot a 127.
“The girls have progressed very well throughout the season. They have continued to get better at the little details of golf throughout the season, and I am extremely proud of them. Ball striking has improved a lot for the entire team throughout the year. They have chipped and putted well at times this year, but need to continue to improve these next few days going into districts. I have confidence they will continue to put the work in and get better,” girls golf head coach Jason Freudenburg stated.
Moving forward to the Pierce JV golfers, leading the way was Teigan Warneke who shot a 107, which led all JV golfers. Alyvia Marks shot a 145, and Callan Vogeler shot a 182.
“I had some good shots that I wish that I could have hit better but I also shot my personal best so I ended the day happy,” Warneke, a sophomore golfer, said.
