Lady Huskies qualify for state with bronze team effort
Delainey Phillips brought her A-Game when it counted, going low both Friday and Monday to claim individual gold medal honors at the Central Conference and C1 District golf meets, while also helping her team qualify for next week’s Class C state tournament in North Platte.
The Lady Huskies finished third at Monday’s C1 District competition played at Hidden Valley in Lincoln, earning a spot in the 12-team field Monday and Tuesday at Maloney Golf Club. Having qualified for state as a junior last year, Phillips was determined to punch her ticket again as a senior, and she was thrilled to learn she’ll be making that trip along with her teammates.
“I feel really good and I’m really glad that our team made it to state because I think going to state and competing as a team will be much better and more fun than going as an individual,” Phillips said. “I hope to place in the top five.”
The team’s No. 1 golfer posted a round of 80 Monday to win medalist honors by a single stroke over Abigail Klooz of Exeter-Milligan/Friend. Phillips said she knew she had a good round going, but wasn’t sure where she stood with the rest of the field.
“I knew I was close with the other girls, but I didn’t know how close,” she said. “Coming down the 18th hole I was sitting at 33 and then I double bogeyed that hole, which wasn’t the plan. Everybody was watching and I hit a bad tee shot that didn’t set me up very well.”
Phillips has been in a groove as of late, having posted a 79 Friday at Quail Run to win individual honors at the Central Conference meet. She shaved 19 strokes off an earlier round last month on the same course, noting that she’s had more confidence in her game coming down the stretch run.
“My putting has saved me a few times and I also think my tee shots have gotten better throughout the season,” she shared. “My irons aren’t my strongest, but they’ve also been getting better. But yeah, I just think my putting has really helped me this year.”
Coach Rick Bell was excited to see his team qualify for state, and especially his senior leader.
“It’s been fun and I’m really excited for the team,” Bell said. “I’m super excited for Delainey. You know, conference champ and now district champ, she’s put in the work and she deserves it. She’s just a good kid who is a pleasure to coach.”
Olivia Dunn also played a key role in the team’s third place finish at both the district and conference meets. The freshman placed fifth Monday with a solid round of 89 and was 10th at Quail Run, where she carded a 97.
“I thought I played very consistent today,” Dunn said of Monday’s district competition. “I kind of knew going in what range I needed to be in, so I just had a mindset to just play my golf and what happens is going to happen. Obviously it worked for me today.”
Dunn has played competitive golf previously on the Nebraska Junior Golf circuit, though noted that high school events are different.
“I’ve never been to state and I’m just excited for the high school golf experience and state, just seeing what that course brings,” she said. “I would say high school golf is different from what I’m used to in the summer, where we play from a lot farther distances. It’s nice to play from the women’s tees with people at my level. The high school golf experience has been amazing.”
Bell said Dunn has earned her No. 2 spot on the team and has a lot of potential to continue to improve.
“I’m extremely excited for Olivia and what the future holds for her,” Bell said. “She’s played a lot of golf, put a lot of time in and she’s pretty good around the greens. If she gets that putter hot, her score is going to drop even more.”
Sophomore Ellie Beck carded a 98 Monday to finish just five strokes out of the medals. Fellow sophomore Lexi SaBell posted a 102, while freshman Elin Coufal shot a round of 111.
“We’re young, but I knew going in we had a pretty good shot,” Bell said of his team’s chances to earn a state bid. “I think we were either fourth or fifth according to the scores that were sent in, but I also knew that a couple of courses we play are pretty tough, so I thought we had a chance to be top two or three. We got third, so again I’m really excited about that. It’s a great chance for Delainey to go again, and then also for our underclassmen to get to experience that.”
The team will head west on Sunday to get a look at the Maloney course and play a few practice holes, before teeing it up Monday for the first of two 18-hole rounds.
“The weather looks really good for Monday and Tuesday, so we’re hopeful that it stays that way,” Bell concluded.
C-1 District meet
Team scores: Lincoln Christian, 364; Sutton, 364; Aurora, 369; Exeter-Milligan-Friend, 383; Ashland-Greenwood, 406; Elmwood-Murcock, 413; Auburn, 416; Lincoln Lutheran, 441; Syracuse, 472; Johnson County Central, 484; Sandy Creek, 485; H&H, 513; Palmyra, 514; BDS, NTS; Fairbury, NTS; Tri County, NTS; Superior, NTS.
Individual medalists: 1. Delainey Phillips, Aurora, 80; 2. Abigail Klooz, EMF, 81; 3. Shepleigh Ohrt, Sutton, 82; 4. Katherine Watson, Lincoln Christian, 84; 5. Olivia Dunn, Aurora, 89; 6. Elizabeth Stark, Lincoln Christian, 90; 7. Alyse Dahlberg, Lincoln Christian, 91; 8. Hayden Gruber, Palmyra, 92; 9. Aniston Jasnoch, Sutton, 93; T10. Isabella Trejo, Sutton, 93; T10: Adelyn Harms, Ashland-Greenwood, 93.
Aurora scores: Delainey Phillips, 41-39 -- 80; Olivia Dunn, 46-43 -- 89; Ellie Beck, 54-44 -- 98; Lexi SaBell, 52-50 -- 102; Elin Coufal, 57-54 -- 111.
Central Conference meet
Team scores: Northwest, 375; York, 386; Aurora, 403; Adams Central, 410; Seward, 433; Lexington, 469; Lakeview, 472; Crete, 545.
Individual medalists: 1. Delainey Phillips, Aurora, 79; 2. Ashlyn Walz, York, 84; 3. Traelynn Callihan, Northwest, 85; 4. Josie Rauert, York, 89; 5. Kaylin Mick, Adams Central, 90; 6. Ryann Leibhart, Lakeview, 93; 7. Ella Chapman, Northwest, 94; 8. Reagan Meyer, Seward, 94; 9. Maddie Kral, Northwest, 94; 10. Olivia Dunn, Aurora, 97; 11. Megan Michels, York, 97; 12. Cambry Placke, Seward, 101; 13. Gussie Wiens, Adams Central, 102; 14. Kaydence Olsen, Northwest, 102; 15. Millie Pepplitsch, Lexington, 103.
Aurora scores: Delainey Phillips, 38-41 — 79; Olivia Dunn, 48-49 — 97; Elin Coufal, 57-54 — 111; Ellie Beck, 55-61 — 116.