Sports : Vikettes 3rd at Regional golf contest; Randall, Ketchen advance to State

Girls pose for photos at the Regional event.

On to State! Erin Randall and Natalie both shot 89 at the Regional event.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes came within just six strokes of earning a trip to the team State Golf Meet at the Regional contest on Monday, finishing in third place.

Seniors Erin Randall and Natalie Ketchen did advance to the State individual event; both carded an 89. 

Coach's Report:

May 20, 2013

Westwood Golf Course, Newton

Par 71

Weather conditions: Windy, upper 70s, low 80s

Team Standings:

(top two teams advance to State)

Grinnell                         353

Newton                          376

Vinton-Shellsburg         382

Adel-Desota                  401

Dallas Center-Grimes   408

Norwalk                         420

Ballard                           426

Winterset                       436

Creston                          447

Carlisle                          458

Perry                              462

Webster City                  468

Top 5 Individuals (and ties) advance to State in Medalist Competion:

Amanda Hintz                    Grinnell   82

Erin Randall                        V-S         89

Natalie Ketchen                   V-S         89

Shelby Townsend                Perry       89

Samantha Ramsey               Grinnell   90

Amber Kracht                     Grinnell    90

We are delighted to have Erin Randall and Natalie Ketchen both shoot 89 and advance to the State competition to be held at the Ames Country Club next Tuesday and Wednesday. In 20 years of coaching, this is the first time I have had two individuals advance in the same year in medalist play. They’ve worked hard and are very deserving of earning this honor.

Our team played their hearts out today and came up just short.  I was so proud of each girl! We had many personal bests for 18 holes.  This is a challenging course; long on the front nine and devilish on the back nine.  We putted well as a team and we were strong on any of the par 3s. Mara Jessen had low: 14 putts on both nines. Lauren Tandy had 16 both nines.  Natalie Ketchen had 5 pars and birdied # 4; Erin Randall also had 5 pars. Mara Jessen and Lauren Tandy each had 4 pars.

V-S individual scores:

Erin Randall           44-45=89

Natalie Ketchen     46-43=89

Lauren Tandy         49-52=101

Mara Jessen            53-50=103

Cara Hach              48-60=108

Kaiti Kilpatrick      54-56=110

This has been a great year for these young ladies.  Their record is 52 – 10.  Our team showed their grit and talent today in Newton. They stayed tough and focused for all 18 holes!

These young women have received so many compliments from other coaches and teams, because of their kindness and exemplary behavior.  And they are FUN, too!  They have had a team attitude first and foremost.  It has been a privilege to be their coach.