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Northeast Range/Ely more than held its own in its first appearance at the state high school girls golf meet.
After winning the Section 7A title last month, NRE took part in this week’s State Class A Girls Meet at Becker, placing fifth among eight teams.
Senior Abby Koivisto, meanwhile, climbed from 22nd a year ago to finish 17th individually in a field of 88 golfers.
Hers was the top score of any of the NRE participants at state.
Rain and severe weather shortened Wednesday’s round to 16 holes at the Pebble Creek course, and NRE held its spot after coming in fifth place after the opening round of 18 holes on Tuesday.
The finish capped a stellar season on the links for Northeast Range/Ely and the state showing proved to be the icing on the cake.
“For the first time there, I think fifth was pretty good,” said coach Rob Simonich.
Koivisto was in 24th place with a 91 after the opening round, and she jumped several spots to tie for 17th after Wednesday’s play.
Maizy Sundblad recorded a 98 on Tuesday and was in 41st, but she fell eight spots on Wednesday, which was scored on a partial scoring system given that the golfers did not complete the full round.
“What they did was since it was computerized they went back to where everybody played the same holes and based the score on that,” said Simonich.
Carena DeBeltz, an Ely junior, had a 100 through the first 18 holes and was in 47th. She slipped to 51st overall based on Wednesday’s play.
Next up was Danica Sundblad, who scored a 110 through the first 18 and wound up 69th overall, down from 65th.
Cylvia DeBeltz ended up 75th, falling after carding a 106 and a 59th place finish Tuesday.
Rounding out the lineup was Ezra Chamberlin, who withdrew partially through Wednesday’s action after carding a 123 (78th) on the opening day.
Fillmore Central and Dawson-Boyd tied for the Class A girls team title, while Park Christian took third and Heritage Christian Academy was fourth. NRE placed in front of Badger-Greenbush- Middle River, Sleepy Eye United and Murray County Central.
Dawson-Boyd’s Libby Lund won the individual state title, while Section 7A’s highest finisher was North Woods’ Tori Olson, who took 15th.
NRE was treated to a sendoff Sunday morning from Babbitt, and the team practiced at Pebble Creek and participated in the tournament banquet before opening play on Tuesday.
