Bronco boys eye state, girls return core
Glenn Walls’ first trip to the Class 2A state tournament last year had an all-too-familiar finish the entire International Falls boys golf team wants people to forget about in 2010.
“I learned so much at state last year,” Walls said Monday at practice.
Walls was tied for the lead after the first day at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan, but he struggled to find his game on the second day and shot a 9-over par 81. He finished tied for seventh. Walls also struggled on the second day of the Section 7AA tournament, carding an 80. His 81 at state and 80 at sections were the only two times his score reached 80 in 2009.
Walls’ individual effort last year unfortunately mirrored the Broncos’ team effort the last two seasons.
The Broncos were tied for first two years ago at sections, and sat in second place last year, but failed to make a move on Day 2 in both situations. Day 2 has not been a bright spot in recent memory.
“That second day of sections, we just have to pull together as a team,” said Walls, who was the top golfer on a Broncos team that finished No. 1 in scoring average in Class 2A last season.
Four golfers return from that team this year to once again try and qualify for that elusive state tournament. Expectations come with success, and the Broncos finally want to meet those high expectations.
Derek Riley joined Walls at state last year and finished 45th. The duo leads this year’s team into action, along with fellow junior Jeffrey Shermoen. Sophomore Brett Musich and senior Shane Dexter also contributed last season.
“Only weakness I see is not meeting or trying too hard to meet our expectations,” Broncos head coach Bill Mason said. “Our players must go out and play and stay in each round and not get ahead of themselves. The boys must be patient with their games and emotions and be focused to play to their abilities.”
Missing from last year’s team are Travis Blais and Justin Mayer, who both graduated. Blais, who like Walls made the All-State team, will be the toughest to replace. Shermoen or Musich are expected to play at Blais’ level, while Dexter and sophomore Joel Skirten will fill out the lineup. Dexter contributed some last year, while Skirten, who once played 81 holes in a day at the Falls Country Club, is a wild card.
“(Skirten) has got big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, it can be him,” Walls said.
Freshmen Lucas DeBenedet and Zach Manka and eighth-grader Brady Walls may also contribute on varsity this year.
The season opens for International Falls this weekend in Brainerd, and with Hermantown (the defending section champs) and Virginia already firing low scores — Virginia defeated Hermantown by one stroke at the season-opening Harry O’Connor Golf Invitational — the pressure will be on early.
“That’s the goal — come together,” Walls said. “We gotta get a state tourney here after the last couple years.”
2010 Broncos Boys Golf Schedule
Date Opponent Time
4/23-24 at Brainerd Invitational 2 p.m./9 a.m.
4/30-5/1 at Grand Slam Invitational 2 p.m./8 a.m.
5/7 at Hibbing Invitational 8 a.m.
5/10 at Virginia Invitational 11 a.m.
5/12 HOME for Bronco Invitational 9:30 a.m.
5/14-15 at Northern Invitational Noon/Noon
5/17 at Mesabi East Invitational 10 a.m.
5/22 at Virginia Invitational 9 a.m.
Bronco girls return West, Blair, Porter and Bergstrom
It’s rare a high school athletic team loses no one to graduation and returns nearly everyone the following season.
Meet the 2010 Broncos girls golf team.
Four letter winners return — junior Maggie West and sophomores Kelly Blair, Malinda Porter and Alyssa Bergstrom — and none are seniors. Jessica Duchnicki is the only Bronco from 2009 that didn’t return.
“I feel this year will be better,” West said. “We have more confidence and we’ve been playing more and actually practicing.”
That “actually practicing” line isn’t a shot at coach Mason and his practice schedule, but a shot straight at Mother Nature. The Broncos didn’t play outside last year until the first meet of the season. This year there’s been more than enough practice time.
“Our girls have really improved the past few years,” Mason said. “Now they have to believe in themselves. They can play and post good scores.”
Maggie’s sister Katie, an eighth-grader, is also expected to contribute.
Maggie West, Blair and Porter have all advanced to Day 2 of sections the past two seasons, but no one has advanced further than that.
“Hopefully someone can go to state this year,” West said.
Rule change
The one big noticeable change in Minnesota high school golf this season is that coaches are allowed to work with their players during meets. Coaches won’t be allowed on the putting green, but will be allowed to help with yardage, club selection and wind direction.
2010 Broncos Girls Golf Schedule
Date Opponent Time
4/22-23 at Brainerd Invitational 2/3:30 p.m.
4/28 at Walker Invitational 11 a.m.
5/1 at Grand Rapids Invitational 9 a.m.
5/3 at Wilderness Invitational 10 a.m.
5/7 at Hibbing Invitational 8 a.m.
5/8 at Northern Invitational 10 a.m.
5/12 HOME for Bronco Invitational 9:30 a.m.
5/17 at Mesabi East Invitational 10 a.m.
5/20 at Virginia Invitational 9 a.m.
