The Fargo South girls golf team is cautiously confident about its chances of winning an eighth consecutive Class A state championship.
"It just happens to be a legacy," junior Kate Hardina said. "Obviously we want to keep it going, it keeps us motivated. The pressure doesn't get to us."
This season's Bruins have been no strangers to winning either. South won eight of its nine regular-season tournaments, losing to Fargo Shanley by seven strokes in late August at Wahpeton.
Since then, the Bruins have won five straight tournaments, including a two-shot victory over Grand Forks Red River at the East Region championship tournament last Wednesday.
The defending state champs hope to keep both their season and state championship streaks alive when the two-day Class A state tournament begins today at King's Walk golf course in Grand Forks.
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"It's always in my mind about how many states we've won in a row," senior Dani Hildreth said. "But there's nothing we can do about it."
The Bruins are a favored to win again, with three players ranked in the East Region top 10. Their top five golfers have combined for an 87.5-shot average.
Hildreth's 83-shot average is second in the East Region. Hardina (85.7) is fourth and sophomore Jenna Schulte (86.8) is seventh. Senior Erika Peuser's 88.7 average is 13th.
Senior Rachel Skarphol and Rachel Bates and juniors Mandy Hage and Bree Koch have all carded team top-five finishes as well.
"They have a lot of tournament savvy," South coach Lynn Engberg said. "Their experiences are really valuable."
The experienced Bruins are also keeping level heads in pursuing another state title.
"If we win, we win. If we don't, its alright, we had a good year," Hildreth said.
South's biggest challenges should come from Grand Forks Red River, Shanley, and surging West Region champion Dickinson.
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Red River senior Ann Arneson leads the East Region with a 79-shot average while Dickinson's Chevas Beaudoin shot a 70 at Tom O'Leary golf course in Bismarck during the West Region tournament.
"It should be a real close race," Engberg said. "It's going to be separated by not much more than a handful of strokes. They could go one way or another."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dustin Monke at (701) 241-5549
