Tessa Nicholson and Diane Mitchell each broke 100 strokes across 18 holes for the first time Monday at River Wilds Golf Club.
The two Blair Bears led a seventh-place effort for coach Rachel Brown's top lineup as 19 total teams competed during the Blair Girls Invite.
“I am so excited,” Nicholson said. “Literally, my first time.”
Both the senior and Mitchell, a junior, carded 99 swings. Mitchell shot par on three holes, but also sunk a birdie putt on No. 14, a par-3.
“I hit it and got on the green within 6 feet,” she explained. “And, then, I was able to one-putt it in.”
The end result caught her off guard, though.
“Honestly, I was just shooting for par,” Mitchell said. “The fact that I made it in ... it kind of surprised me.”
Nicholson, meanwhile, shot par on four River Wilds holes and finished with five 1-over bogeys. She, like Mitchell, tied for 22nd out of 91 golfers overall behind the individual medalist — Bennington's Makaila Behrens, who took 80 swings Monday.
“Coach Brown has been making me, the last couple of practices, work on my chipping, which has really helped,” Nicholson said after her career day at the course.
Altogether, Blair's top varsity lineup finished with just 400 strokes. In addition to its 99s, 24th-place Macy Schrad notched 100 swings. She finished two holes even.
Sophie Kern, meanwhile, finished with 102 strokes in 27th. She also sank two putts for par during her round, while Mackenzie Storjohann added 107 swings for 34th overall.
Both Nicholson and Mitchell viewed the Bears' consistent scores favorably.
“The girls have been doing pretty good,” Nicholson said before giving an attribution. “Consistency and making sure you get out and practice.”
How did Mitchell think BHS got to this point, though?
“It took a lot of practice and a lot of effort,” she said. “And I know today was my best shooting.”
Coach Brown's second Bears lineup — Kaiya Johnson, Jaydyn Backman, Quinn Thompson, Katelyn Mitchell and Chloe Shelton — finished 17th during its home invite, too. Johnson and Backman led the team with 123 and 124 strokes, respectively.
BHS was scheduled to compete in a home triangular on Thursday as well. It next competes, however, 9 a.m. Tuesday during Arlington's home tournament back at River Wilds.
BLAIR INVITE
Monday at River Wilds Golf Club
Team standings: Elkhorn North 74-over par, Gretna East 82-over, Columbus Scotus 90, Lincoln Northwest 90, Bennington 106, Elkhorn 111, Blair 112, Waverly 151, Nebraska City 156, Platteview 162, Fremont Bergan 176, Gretna 177, Oakland-Craig 178, Lincoln Christian 184, Plattsmouth 194, Wahoo 195, Blair #2 214, Omaha Burke 282, Lincoln Standing Bear 335.
Individual medalist: Makaila Behrens, Bennington, 80 strokes (8-over par).
Blair results: Tessa Nicholson 99 strokes, Diane Mitchell 99, Macy Schrad 100, Sophie Kern 102, Mackenzie Storjohann 107.
Blair #2 results: Kaiya Johnson 123 strokes, Jaydyn Backman 124, Quinn Thompson 128, Katelyn Mitchell 134, Chloe Shelton 148.
