Sidney golf takes fourth at state tournament

The Sidney High girls' golf team took fourth place in the 12-team field in the Class B state tournament at Pioneer Golf Course in Lincoln.

As it usually is, consistency was Sidney's best friend in the tournament.

After the first round, the Lady Raiders sat comfortably in fifth-place with a team score of 395. In the second round, the team shot a 396 and was able to slide into fourth after Aurora, who was in fourth after the first round, played a poor second round.

For Sidney head coach Dani Kuchar and assistant coach Jenn Dinges – both in their first year with the program – the goal at the beginning of the season was to make state. They blew that out of the water with the fourth-place finish this year.

"We were very happy with how we did," Kuchar said. "Coming in, we didn't know exactly where we would end up and third through fifth place was pretty tight. But we were very excited with the result."

Scottsbluff won the tournament with a combined team score of 752. Scottsbluff's Jordan York won the 74-player tournament.

Junior Rachel Blauert finished her first trip to state in three-way tie for 15th place, shooting a 188 for the tournament, which led the Sidney team. Blauert, who was not eligible for the state tournament a year ago, said last week that she just wanted to have fun and fully take in the experience.

She did that and more.

"These two rounds were the best I've ever had," Blauert said. "I had a great time and it was so fun to play with new girls. I was also very happy with the way I played."

Blauert fought through inclement weather in Monday's first round and still shot a 94. Day two didn't bring rain, but it was still cold and windy.

Blauert says she didn't let the weather bother her or her game and her identical round scores indicate that.

Jordan Cook came in 30th with a 198, while junior Megan Neal followed just one stroke behind her for 31st.

Cook, a freshman, didn't let the big stage intimidate her.

"I'm pretty happy with the way I played, especially in the environment we played in," Cook said. "This course was pretty long and par was higher than on most courses."

Cook said she enjoyed her time at state this year and is excited about the next few years, but her goals won't necessarily change as she becomes a more experienced member of Sidney's team.

"In the coming years, I just want to continue to represent Sidney well, and have fun and be lighthearted, no matter how serious I am into golf by then."

Senior Kaleigh Chavez completed her two rounds with a score of 206, which put her in a four-way tie for 43rd overall. Freshman Emma Alexander placed 63rd with a posting of 227 over the two-day event.

Class B State Golf Tournament

@ Pioneers Golf Course, Lincoln

Team Scores

1. Scottsbluff 374-378–752

2. Omaha Skutt Catholic 381-383–764

3. Omaha Duchesne Academy 400-381–781

4. Sidney 395-396–791

5. Northwest 397-395–792

6. Plattsmouth 394-405–799

7. Aurora 391-417–808

8. Gering 408-410–818

8. Elkhorn 397-421–818

10. Crete 405-415–820

11. Bennington 422-419–841

12. Holdrege 425-417–842

Individual Results

1. Jordan York, Scottsbluff 80-79–159

2. Maaika Mestl, Ogallala 80-81–161

2. Raluca Maiefski, Omaha-Roncalli Catholic 78-83–161

2. Sara Larsson, Plattsmouth 77-84–161

5. Callie Hawkins, Gretna 84-83–167

5. Samantha Rahmig, Gretna 83-84–167

7. Kirsten Baete, Beatrice 81-87–168

8. Hannah Holloway, Scottsbluff 85-90–175

9. Kristen Goertz, Omaha-Duchesne Academy 89-87–176

10. Kendra Placke, Seward 90-87–177

Other Sidney golfers

15. Rachel Blauert 94-94–188

30. Jordan Cook 98-100–198

31. Megan Neal 99-100–199

43. Kaleigh Chavez 104-102–206

63. Emma Alexander 108-118–226