Ava Reierson (Delano) – Girls Golfer of The Year
DELANO – Ava Reierson could have thrown in the towel and had her season end early. Instead, she battled back from an ankle injury and not only played well at the Section 5AA meet for the Tigers, but also reached the Class AA state tournament for the first time in her career.
At the Class AA state tournament, Reierson dealt with nerves in her first round. She settled down in round two, posting an impressive score of 88, shaving 11 strokes off her first-round score.
Reierson finished in 45th place at the state tournament as a sophomore.
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF TEAM
Emilie Empting (Watertown-Mayer)
A strong season for Watertown-Mayer’s Emilie Empting helped lead a successful season for the Royals. A leader for Watertown-Mayer in almost every meet, Empting had an impressive season for the Royals.
Empting played well at the Section 5AA meet for the Royals. She nearly qualified for the second round, missing the cut by just one stroke.
“Emilie was an All-Conference performer and led our team in most meets,” Royals coach Tyler Finkelson said. “Her scoring average was 47 and she missed out on going to the second day of sections by one stroke.”
Maddy Tax (Watertown-Mayer)
There might not be an athlete in the area who’s gone through more over the past year and change than Watertown-Mayer’s Maddy Tax. Through all her challenges, Tax delivered this spring with an impressive season for the Royals out on the course.
With a season average of 51, Tax was the No. 2 golfer all season long for the Royals. She just missed being All-Conference by one stroke but earned All-Conference Honorable Mention.
“Maddy has overcome a lot in the last year and a half,” Finkelson said. “Her wonderful attitude helped her beat cancer.”
Amelia Lueck (HLWW)
A state meet appearance has been a goal for Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted’s Amelia Lueck for a while. The junior nearly reached that goal by playing well at the Section 5AA meet this season.
Lueck missed qualifying for state by just one stroke but led the way all season long for the Lakers. She earned medalist honors at the Glencoe-Silver Lake Conference meet and finished fourth in the conference overall.
“Amelia finished in the top 10 of all her meets this year, including sections,” HLWW coach Bernie Lueck said. “She was a captain and student-athlete leader, and Team MVP. Amelia is competing through the summer in MN JR PGA events throughout the state.”
Candance Krumwiede (HLWW)
A key No. 2 golfer for the Lakers this season, HLWW’s Candace Krumwiede gave the Lakers some depth this season as she played well throughout the year.
Krumwiede finished in the top-10 in five different conference meets this season for the Lakers. She was a captain this season and finished 12th in Wright County Conference standings. She was also voted the team’s Most Improved Player.
“Candace was a leader and role model, not only to her teammates but also to the other teams and coaches,” Lueck said. “Other coaches noticed her ability to lead and how players from everywhere responded to her.”
Payton Amundson (Dassel-Cokato)
A senior and key leader for the Dassel-Cokato girls golf team this season, Payton Amundson played some of her best golf for the Chargers when she needed to most.
A strong performance in conference play where she earned All-Conference Honorable Mention carried over to the Section 5AA Meet. Amundson played well for the Chargers at the section meet, qualifying for the second round.
Payton was the captain of the team this year and was a consistent performer all season long,” D-C coach Jon Ring said. “She led by example and worked hard throughout the season to improve. This culminated in her lowest score ever, a 95, at day one of the sections and thus became a qualifier for day two.”
Brooke Harmala (Dassel-Cokato)
There’s nothing better than playing your best when it’s needed. That’s what Dassel-Cokato’s Brooke Harmala did at the end of this season.
A senior, Harmala finished her high school golf career on a high note. She played some of her best golf at the Section 5AA meet, and also earned medalist honors for D-C at the Charger Invitational this year.
Brooke started this season late and steadily improved,” Ring said. “She qualified for day two of sections and played well both days missing the cut for state by five strokes.”