Blair High School golfer Mackenzie Storjohann knew it was going to be a good day early on during the Arlington Invite.
“Honestly, the first hole,” she said Tuesday, grinning. “I was like, 'Oh, wow! This is a good way to start off.'”
The Bear started on No. 17 at River Wilds Golf Course and finished second overall, leading her team to a first-place finish — its first of the season.
The Eagles, meanwhile, took eighth during their home meet. Coach Cailyn Ross said it went swimmingly overall.
“It went so quickly and smoothly that it was just an enjoyable day all-around,” she explained. “Weather was great. Pace of play was great. People were in good moods.”
BHS coach Rachel Brown, an Arlington graduate, certainly was. She attributed the Bears' success to their setting specific goals beforehand, which has become a team trait.
“I think it's really been helping them play competitively,” the coach said.
Storjohann in particular took to going after her goals with 95 strokes across 18 holes.
“She pushed herself and she got it,” Brown said.
The golfer finished the par-5 third hole with a birdie and added two more par putts during her round.
“I've been really working on the range, so all my drives and my irons — they've been doing great for me,” Storjohann said.
Tessa Nicholson, meanwhile, finished two holes even, too. She finished sixth with 106 swings, tying teammate Diane Mitchell, who also carded a 106.
Blair's Sophie Kern finished with 111 strokes for 15th as well, while Katelyn Mitchell rounded out the lineup with an 18-hole 134.
“This is a definite stepping-up point for us,” Storjohann said.
“I'm really proud of all of them,” Brown added.
Coach Ross recognized a lot of Arlington's improvements Tuesday, too.
“Every day it seems like they're trying different things,” she said. “Being more consistent and, especially, being able to problem-solve on their own.”
Aspen Smutz led the Eagles' home tournament effort in 18th individually, finishing with 114 strokes. She shot par on the aforementioned third hole.
“I picked it up on my last nine (holes),” the Eagle said. “Had more accurate, short chips.”
Ally Meyer, meanwhile, took 26th for the home team, finishing with 119 strokes. She, notably, shot par on two holes — Nos. 1 and 14.
Bella Wilcox added 131 swings for AHS as well, Honora Andreasen had 132 and Addie Thomos finished the day with 140, respectively.
“It was nice being at the home course,” Smutz said.
The Eagles next compete 10 a.m. Monday at the Elmwood-Murdock Invitational at Grandpa's Woods. Their Washington County neighbor, Blair, will play next Wednesday during the Eastern Midlands Conference Tournament at Holmes Golf Course in Lincoln.
ARLINGTON INVITE
Tuesday at River Wilds Golf Club, Blair
Team standings: Blair 418 strokes, Elmwood-Murdock 434, Omaha Skutt JV 442, Ashland-Greenwood 461, Bennington 477, Fremont Bergan 490, Fremont JV 489, Arlington 496, Wahoo 497, Oakland-Craig 621, Cedar Bluffs 621, West Point-Beemer 621, Palmyra 672.
Individual medalist: Emma Anderson, Oakland-Craig, 86 strokes.
Arlington results: 18, Aspen Smutz, 114 strokes. 26, Ally Meyer, 119. 40, Bella Wilcox, 131. 41, Honora Andreasen, 132. 49, Addie Thomas, 140.
Blair results: 2, Mackenzie Storjohann, 95 strokes. 6, Tessa Nicholson, 106. 7, Diane Mitchell, 106. 15, Sophie Kern, 111. 45, Katelyn Mitchell, 134.
