Stakes are higher for Lemek

Danielle Lemek has fired a perfect season of golf so far.

But her biggest challenge lies ahead.

The Doniphan-Trumbull freshman, who has won every meet this fall, tries to complete her season sweep when the Class C state tournament begins Monday.

The two-day, 36-hole competition takes place at Grand Island's Indianhead Golf Club, which conveniently serves as the home course for the first-year Cardinals program.

"We should have an advantage because it is our home course," Lemek said. "It's a big advantage. We practice out there a lot. We can really focus on the course. I knew the bad spots and know how to play out of them."

Doniphan-Trumbull coach Chris Seberger feels the familiarity can help the team in its state debut.

"Definitely playing on our home course will mean more comfort for the girls," she said. "We do not have a lot of experience, so that (home-course advantage) will alleviate some of the pressure."

The state tournament is a return to the site where Lemek made herself known in the Nebraska golfing ranks. During the summer, she recorded a fourth-place finish in the Nebraska Women's Amateur Golf Association state stroke-play tournament at Indianhead while playing against older, veteran golfers including several with NCAA Div. I college experience.

Not only did that give her a chance to play at Indianhead against tough competition, but it gave her experience with a two-day tournament, something that is often new to high school freshmen.

"She knows about gutting it out for two days," Seberger said. "It can be tough if you are not used to it. The summer tournaments will really help (prepare) her for that."

Lemek agreed that her summer experience helps her know how to prepare mentally.

"The first day you should shoot good," she said. "Then on the second day, that will cut you some slack. If you don't shoot as well, you'll still be OK.

"But I want to shoot good on both days."

Lemek will be part of a youth-movement three-some on the first day. Her group, the final one to tee off, includes Boone Central sophomore Brooke Bolin. She finished two shots behind Lemek as the district-runner up last week and was 18th at state last year.

Rounding out the group is Syracuse sophomore Steph Rodgers, who finished fourth last year.

St. Paul junior Shelby Stone is in the next-to-last group after finishing behind Lemek and Bolin in districts.

In the team race, Grand Island Central Catholic hopes to be a factor. Coach Dee Hanssen feels the Crusaders continued to show improvement while finishing runner-up to Columbus Scotus at districts.

"We want to place, of course. We'd like to finish as champions or runner-up," Hanssen said. "There are great teams there. But our whole team felt like it left a few

putts out there (at districts). Everyone feels she could lower her score."

While Indianhead Golf Club isn't the Crusaders' home course, they do get to stay in town and practiced there last week.

"Playing here in town is nice," Hanssen said. "Some of the kids played in the junior program there. We have some familiarity with the course."

The state meet gives Central Catholic one more chance to add to a positive season.

"It's been so much fun with these girls," Hanssen said. "You don't hear people talk about

golf as a team sport, but they really do work well together. It's been a breath of fresh air."

The team race will feature new faces this year. Crofton, which finished fifth last year, is the highest placing team returning.

Class A

One Grand Island Senior High competitor qualified for the Class A state tournament's debut at the Norfolk Country Club.

Senior Hannah Huston will make her state debut in her first year of playing the sport. She had previously played volleyball.

Omaha Marian will attempt to win its fourth-straight state title.

Class B

Adams Central and Northwest will compete in the Class B state tournament at Grand Island's Riverside Golf Club after finishing 1-2 at last week's district meet.

The teams combined to have seven of the top 11 individuals in the district – Lindsey Colburn, Mattie Yurk, Lacie Ferguson and Shelby Hoins for the Patriots; Megan Jenneman, Amy Knapp and Alyssa Raile for the Vikings.

Beatrice returns to try and defend its state championship.



State Golf Tee Times

Class A

At Norfolk Country Club

Grand Island Senior High--Hannah Huston, 10:40 a.m.


Class B

At Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island

Adams Central--Lacie Ferguson, 9:30 a.m.; Kelli Shuck, 10:10 a.m.; Mattie Yurk, 10:20 a.m.; Shelby Hoins, 10:40 a.m.; Lindsey Colburn, 10:40 a.m.

Hastings--Taylor Thompson, 10:50 a.m.

Northwest--Sarah Phinney, 9:50 a.m.; Megan Jenneman, 9:50 a.m.; Jenna Nelson, 10 a.m.; Alyssa Raile, 11:10 a.m.; Amy Knapp, 11:20 a.m.


Class C

At Indianhead Golf Club, Grand Island

Boone Central--Brooke Bolin, 11:38 a.m.

Broken Bow--Laurie Reichenberg, 9:38 a.m.; Brittany Vohland, 9:46 a.m.; Sarah Dierking, 9:54 a.m.; Camarie Spanel, 9:54 a.m.; Kayla Berns, 11:30 a.m.

Doniphan-Trumbull--Megan Hesman, 9:54 a.m.; Samantha Rainforth, 10:02 a.m.; Alicia Anderson, 10:18 a.m.; Jocelyn Utecht, 10:50 a.m.; Danielle Lemek, 11:38 a.m.

Fullerton--Shelby Wetovick, 10:34 a.m.

Gibbon--Bianca Witt, 9:46 a.m.; Allison Krueger, 10:42 a.m.

Grand Island Central Catholic--Arena Govier, 10:02 a.m.; Mikayla NOrthup, 10:10 a.m.; Maegan Kellogg, 10:26 a.m.; Michaela Ostdiek, 10:26 a.m. Kylee Flaherty, 11:06 a.m.

St. Paul--Shelby Stone, 11:30 a.m.