By MALLORY BUETOW

The Mirror reporter

The Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) girls golf team had an exciting and eventful season. Conference champions, regional champions, and qualifying for state were some of the accomplishments the team obtained this season.

The team consists of Ellie Ackerlund, Jessica Barber, Jenna Bohanski, Mallory Buetow, Leah Earnest, Mackenzie Falk, Ally Frystak, Kaylee Hintz, Allison Kovatch, Mary McDonald, Abby Nickel, Ally Nickel, Jesse Praefke, Lindsey Przybylski, Alyssa Schroeckenthaler, Brooke Tuszka, Suzanna Viau and Lexi Vrieze.

“Golf has instilled in me the importance of determination, diligence, and optimism. It is very difficult to develop a good golf swing that is repeatable, especially under pressure, but determination and diligence help with this. Also, optimism is essential when you find yourself in tough situations on the course,” McDonald said.

SPASH girls golf is coached by Mark Lesinski and Mark Vrieze. They are both teachers at Ben Franklin Junior High School.

Some highlights throughout the season included the varsity team shooting their lowest 18-hole score ever, which was a 344. The best 9-hole score was a 164 at the Marshfield Country Club.

The girls golf team continuously improved throughout the season and proved it by winning the conference title.

“I was able to consistently lower my score from meet to meet,” Przybylski said.

The team proved their skills once again by becoming regional champions. The meet was held in Sparta at River Run Golf Course.

“I liked how I was able to escape from a stressful schedule and focus on the game and better myself,” Praefke said.

Of course one the biggest accomplishment this season was the team qualifying for state.

“Competing in the state golf meet was an exceptional experience, especially since we were the first SPASH girls team to ever qualify,” SPASH senior McDonald said. “University Ridge is a beautiful course and it was inspiring to play with some of the top female high school golfers in the state.”

The state qualifying team consisted of Barber, Buetow, Hintz, McDonald, Tuszka and alternate Nickel.

SPASH girls golf ended up taking ninth place at the state meet in Madison. They shot a team total of 356 for the first day and a 363 for the second day of competition.