Jahner’s valiant comeback falls short at state

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MANDAN — Dickinson’s Rachel Jahner was in the zone.

The junior came from six strokes back to force a three-hole playoff with Fargo North’s Annie Twells on Tuesday, the second and final day of the Class A state girls golf tournament.

Though Twells won with a birdie on the final hole to earn medalist honors, Jahner wasn’t disappointed with her play during the second day at Prairie West Golf Course.

“I was putting very well today,” Jahner said. “(On Monday) I didn’t putt well at all. I just wanted to come out, play well and feel good about my score. A bunch of my putts were dropping today.”

Jahner shot an 83, which was a tie for eighth place, in Mondays’ opening round.

She knew Prairie West was a very comfortable course as she posted an even-par 72, a personal best, for a two-day total of 155.

“After nine holes, I just wanted to take it shot-for-shot and not think too far ahead,” Jahner said. “That really helped me stay focused on every shot.

The Midgets took fourth place as a team with a score of 714. Fargo Davies won the state title, shooting a 650. Bismarck Century placed second (674) and Fargo North was third (700).

“I’m so happy with how our girls played,” Dickinson head coach Sara Berglund said. “They worked so hard this year and we had our two best team scores of the year at the state tournament.”

Dickinson’s biggest surprise was from sophomore Rachel Lantz, who shot a personal-best 88 on Tuesday to finish in a tie for 20th. She had a 95 in Monday’s first round.

Junior Riana Cooper added an 87 for a total of 170 for 14th place, while seventh-grader Sydney Charchenko supplied a 99-104–203 and tied for 43rd.

“She’s (Lantz) has been improving all year long,” Berglund said. “She was right around the 101-mark, then at regionals she shots a 97 and then she shots a 95 during the first day. She just keeps getting better.”

The Midgets also had freshman Katherine Kessel finish tied for 55th place (104-109–213). Junior Kelsey Yon took 73rd (125-116–241).

Jahner and Cooper were named to the Class A all-state team. Jahner had the second-best average score this season, behind only Fargo Davies’ Kathleen Marsh. Cooper had the eight-best average.

Since Dickinson didn’t have a senior this season, the team is looking forward to the summer months to improve even more.

“This summer is going to be a big summer for us,” Berglund said. “We didn’t graduate anyone, but we also don’t want to stay the same. We want to keep getting better.”

Class A North Dakota state girls golf tournament

At Prairie West in Mandan

Team scores: Fargo Davies 650, Bismarck Century 674, Fargo North 700, Dickinson 714, Grand Forks Red River 756, West Fargo 760, Minot 764, Wahpeton 774, Jamestown 782, Mandan 801, Fargo Shanley 804, Grand Forks Central 854.

Individual top 10: 1, Annie Twells, North, 77–78—155 (three-hole playoff). 2, Rachel Jahner, Dickinson, 83–72—155. 3, Kathleen Marsh, Davies, 79–77—156. 4 (tie), Sierra Bennion, Jamestown, 79–81— 160; Kayla Barke, Williston, 81–79—160. 6, Jennifer Marsh, Davies, 85–76—161. 7, Ashley Bixby, West Fargo, 80–82—162. 8 (tie), Annie Nelson, Century, 84–79—163; Alex Leidholm, Century, 81–82—163. 10, Allyson Meyer, Davies, 86–79—165.

Other Dickinson finishers: 14, Riana Cooper, 86–87—173. 20 (tie), Rachel Lantz, 95–88—183. 43 (tie), Sydney Charchenko, 99–104—203. 55 (tie), Katherine Kessel, 104–109—213. 73, Kelsey Yon 125–116—241.

Awards

Senior athlete of the year: Kayla Barke, Williston.

Coach of the year: Heather Yarber, FD.

All-state team: Kathleen Marsh, FD; Rachel Jahner, D; Kayla Barke, Williston; Sierra Bennion, J; Allyson Meyer, FD; Jennifer Marsh, FD; Ashley Bixby, WF; Riana Cooper, D; Addie Long, FN; Annie Nelson, C.

All-state tournament team: Annie Twells, FN; Rachel Jahner, D; Kathleen Marsh, FD; Kayla Barke, Williston; Sierra Bennion, J; Jennifer Marsh, FD; Ashley Bixby, WF; Alex Leidholm, C; Annie Nelson, C; Allyson Meyer, FD.

Tags: high school golf, dickinson midgets, rachel jahner, state golf tournament, sports