NORFOLK -- The general consensus on the Columbus girls golf team following day one of competition at the Class A State Golf Tournament was frustration and disappointment.
Those were two things CHS coach Anne Robertson hoped her team would avoid Monday at the Norfolk Country Club, but they happened, and as a result the Discoverers enter today’s final round in fifth place.
“Like all the girls, I’m disappointed with the scores (from the first day),” Robertson said. “Maybe it was too much excitement, or not being able to adjust to things quick enough.”
The Discoverers were paced by Telegram Super Senior Sara Thurley, who shot a 95 and was followed by sophomore Morgan Smejkal’s 96.
After day one, Fremont leads team competition with a 362, nine strokes better than defending state champion Omaha Marian, who ended day one in second place.
Strong winds and damp course conditions earlier in the day kept many golfers from getting substantial drives causing a slew of above-normal scores.
Neither Thurley or Smejkal cracked the top 10 after day one, but the pair said they plan on turning in better scores in the second round.
“It was a tough day, and it wasn’t much fun,” Thurley said. “I’m just going to try to bring it back (today). I can’t change what I did today, but I can do better tomorrow, and that’s why it’s a two-day tournament.”
Smejkal was equally frustrated.
“The wind really killed me today,” Smejkal said. “I wasn’t judging it well, but my putting was good, and my driving was O.K.
“Day one is over and the other scores aren’t too low. I should be able to get back into it.”
The top 10 appears to be very competitive, particularly toward the head of the pack.
Norfolk’s Nicole Mooberry and Fremont’s McKayla Anderson are tied for the lead after both shot 78’s.
The next best individual scorer for Columbus was sophomore Paige Theilen, who carded a 103 in her first state meet appearance.
Theilen matched Thurley and Smejkal’s score of 49 on the front nine, but also experienced her fair share of frustrations.
“I could have played better,” Theilen said. “I was pulling my approach shots to the left and I was nervous during the first hole, but after that it got better.”
Senior Amanda Ballweg and sophomore Shayla Rudy shot 110 and 128, respectively, to round out the Discoverers’ top five.
After the last scores were reported, Robertson was somewhat at a loss of words in describing the day for Columbus.
“They’re all good golfers and they’ve all done better here,” Robertson said. “But when you struggle it’s hard to get out of it.”
CLASS A STATE GOLF
CHAMPIONSHIP
Monday’s results at Norfolk Country Club
• Team Standings -- 1. Fremont 362, 2. Omaha Marian 373, 3. Norfolk 381, 4. Millard North 394, 5. Columbus 404, 6. Elkhorn 407, 7T. Lincoln Pius X 411, 7T. Lincoln Southeast 411, 9. Bellevue West 429, 10. Papillion-La Vista South 430, 11. Lincoln Southwest 443, 12. North Platte 465.
• Individual Top 10 -- 1T. Nicole Mooberry, NOR, 78; 1T. McKayla Anderson, FRE, 78; 3. Jacqueline O’Doherty, LNE, 84; 4. Jordan Rearick, OM, 85; 5T. Emily Gonderinger, OB, 86; 5T. Calie Trusler, MN, 86; 7. Sophie Peters, FRE, 87; 8. Melyssa Doerr, PLV, 91; 9T. Lauren Bahle, NOR, 92; 9T. Hannah Huston, Grand Island, 92; 9T. Lindsay Determan, LPX, 92.
• Columbus Results: 12. Sara Thurley 95, 13. Morgan Smejkal 96, Paige Theilen 103, Amanda Ballweg 110, Shayla Rudy 128.
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