2024 High School Prep Preview
March 15, 2024
COON RAPIDS -- Experience didn't seem to be much help on Tuesday during the first round of girls Class AAA competition in the Minnesota state high school tournament.
Kathryn VanArragon, a seventh-grader from Blaine, is the individual leader after she posted a 2-under-par 70 at Bunker Hills GC. Megan Welch, a senior from Lakeville North, is one of three players tied for second at 72, but she's the only senior in the top six thus far. Northfield junior Molly Stevens is also at 72, but the other member of the second-place triumvirate is ninth-grader Camille Kuznik of Orono.
Another two strokes behind are Woodbury sophomore Aayushi Sarkar and an eighth-grader, Madi Hicks of Chanhassen.
The 2018 Ms. Minnesota Golf, Joanna Kim of Edina, is one of three seniors tied for seventh at 76. Also at that number are Wayzata's Hallie Greenberg and Bemidji's Abbie Keim.
Kim tied for medalist honors last year, along with Red Wing's Sophia Yoemans, who was a sophomore. The Red Wing team moved back into Class AA this spring, and Yoemans shot a tournament record for all classes, a 63, in Tuesday's first round at The Ridges at Sand Creek. She leads by three over her teammate Leah Herzog, who also broke the old overall tournament record of 67 (shot by New Prague's Kenzie Neisen and Wayzata's Sarah Burnham in 2014).
Edina came to Bunker Hills as the heavy favorite to win the team championship for the fourth consecutive year. No one had beaten the Hornets all season, or even come close. But they struggled on Tuesday, and Roseville will have a three-stroke head start on them when Wednesday's final round begins, 318 to 321.
Once again, younger girls -- very much younger -- are playing a major role.
A pair of precocious seventh-graders, Olivia Salonek and Vunnisa Vu, are leading the way for the Raiders. They both shot 79's and are tied for 16th place. It was Salonek and Vu who led the way for the Raiders in their victory at the Section 5AAA tournament. Hannah Bruns, a senior, added an 80, and so did sophomore Surena Vu.
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
State Tournament
Class AAA
At Bunker Hills GC
Par 72
Coon Rapids
First-round results
1. Roseville 318
2. Edina 321
3. Lakeville North 325
T4. Woodbury 334
T4. Chanhassen 334
6. Buffalo 347
7. Forest Lake 352
8. Stillwater 356
Individuals
1. Kathryn VanArragon, Blaine 70
T2. Megan Welch, Lakeville North 72
T2. Molly Stevens, Northfield 72
T2. Camille Kuznik, Orono 72
T5. Aayushi Sarkar, Woodbury 74
T5. Madi Hicks, Chanhassen 74
T7. Joanna Kim Edina 76
T7. Hallie Greenberg, Wayzata 76
T7. Abbie Keim, Bemidji 76
10. Emma Welch, Lakeville North 77
March 15, 2024
December 1, 2023
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