Mounds Park Academy Boys and Fillmore Central Girls Claim Class A Titles

  BECKER, Minn. – Entering the final round of the 2016 Minnesota State Boys’ Class A Championship with an 11-stroke lead, the defending champions from Mounds Park Academy maintained that margin Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club, defeating Mahnomen-Waubun for their second consecutive team title.

Leading the way for Mounds Park Academy was senior Dylan Merchant who fired a two-day total of 5-over par 149 to finish tied for second with MACCRAY’s Brady Madsen, 11 shots off the lead.

Merchant opened with a 2-over par 74 during the first round Tuesday before shooting 75 during the final round Wednesday.

Sophomore Matt Berning contributed to MPA’s team title by carding a final-round 77 Wednesday to finish tied for eighth at 155, while two-time defending individual champion, Brock Bliese, finished tied for 13th at 158.

Making their second state tournament appearance, Mahnomen-Waubun finishes as runner-up for the second time Wednesday getting a big boost from individual medalist and Mr. Golf Minnesota finalist, Blake Kahlbaugh.

Kahlbaugh fired a 4-under par 68 to open the championship Tuesday and answered with a 2-under par 70 during the final round Wednesday, cruising to an 11-stroke victory at 138.

Juniors Lucas Clark-Burnette and Brady Liebl both finished the tournament at 164 Wednesday as Mahnomen-Waubun had three players finish inside the top-25.


FILLMORE CENTRAL GIRLS ROLL TO TEAM TITLE
The girls from Fillmore Central began the final round with a sizable 20-stroke advantage and extended that lead to 32 shots over Windom, finish on top of Class A for the first time in school history.

Freshman Madison Scheevel led the way for Fillmore Central as she carded a final-round 79 Wednesday to finish in seventh place at 165. Sophomore Grace Miller finished one stroke behind Scheevel in eighth place at 166 after carding rounds of 82 and 84, respectively.

Senior Laura Donney’s 177 also contributed to Fillmore’s team title Wednesday as Donney slipped inside the top-20 with a final-round 88.

Carding a 4-over par 76 during the final round Wednesday, Heritage Christian Academy junior notched her second consecutive individual title, one stroke better than Legacy Christian Academy’s Sophie Gray at 156.

Abby Herding, of Westbrook-Walnut Grove, finished third at 159, while Springfield’s Callie Wersal finished fourth at 160.



2016 MINNESOTA STATE BOYS CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP
PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
BECKER, MINN.
6,419 YARDS, PAR 72


FINAL TEAM RESULTS
1. Mounds Park Academy, 309-314—623
2. Mahnomen/Waubun, 320-314—634
3. Lac Qui Parle Valley, 339-330—669
4. Sleepy Eye United, 335-337—672
5. Blooming Prairie, 333-340—673
6. Mille Lacs, 340-354—694
7. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, 353-350—703
8. Murray County Central, 387-365—752


FINAL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Blake Kahlbaugh, Mahnomen/Waubun, 68-70—138
T2. Dylan Merchant, Mounds Park Academy, 74-75—149
T2. Brady Madsen, MACCRAY, 76-73—149
T4. Tommy Braaten, Blooming Prairie, 75-78—153
T4. Brett Reid, Community Christian, 79-74—153
T6. Jaden Kallhoff, Lac Qui Parle Valley, 77-77—154
T6. Ben Laffen, Sleepy Eye United, 78-76—154
T8. Ryan Pederson, United South Central, 81-74—155
T8. Spencer Viita, North Woods, 81-74—155
T8. Mason Mages, BOLD, 80-75—155
T8. Matt Berning, Mounds Park Academy, 78-77—155



2016 MINNESOTA STATE GIRLS CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP
PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
BECKER, MINN.
5,152 YARDS, PAR 72


FINAL TEAM RESULTS
1. Fillmore Central, 348-344—692
2. Windom Area, 368-356—724
3. BOLD, 369-359—728
4. Minneota, 381-357—738
5. Springfield, 378-364—742
6. Park Christian, 373-372—745
7. Fosston, 387-380—767
8. North Woods, 419-401—820


FINAL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Kiera Smith, Heritage Christian Academy, 80-76—156
2. Sophie Gray, Legacy Christian Academy, 78-79—157
3. Abby Herding, Westbrook-Walnut Grove, 78-81—159
4. Callie Wersal, Springfield, 82-78—160
5. Kayla Ruf, Legacy Christian Academy, 82-81—163
6. Taylor Christianson, Blooming Prairie, 81-83—164
7. Madison Scheevel, Fillmore Central, 86-79—165
8. Grace Miller, Fillmore Central, 82-84—166
T9. Emily Doeden, Park Christian, 84-86—170
T9. Rachel Halvorson, Lac Qui Parle Valley, 87-83—170


For complete tournament results go to: www.mshsl.org/mshsl/golfscores.asp?gender=Boys&class=A