Seventh place state finish for Red Oak girls golf

After two days of intense play, the Red Oak girls golf team brought home a respectable seventh-place trophy in their first trip to state.
The Red Oak Lady Tigers concluded day one of the Class 2A State Tournament at Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone in seventh place with a team score of 388. Oelwin led the 2A field with a team score Chloe Bolte, a senior, finished the two-day tournament with a one-below-par 143.
On day one, Red Oak senior Brynn Knaus led the team with a round of 90. Junior Emily Sebeniecher carded a 97, followed closely by senior Addey Lydon with a 98. Junior Ellison Johnson and junior Nellie Blaine both shot 103, while senior Riley Burke finished with a 106.
Said coach Patty Henke, “Today wasn’t our strongest day on the course. However, day two is still to come, and we are confident we will improve. I expect the girls to all lower their scores as they get more comfortable with the speeds of the greens and more familiar with the course.”
On the second day of the tournament, the Red Oak Lady Tigers wrapped up their impressive season by earning a commendable seventh-place finish with a two-day total of 760 (388-372). The team demonstrated significant improvement on Day 2, a testament to their composure and determination on the challenging course and green speeds.
At the close of day two, Knaus led the Tigers with a combined score of 172 (90-82), showcasing her talent with a strong rebound on the final day. Sebeniecher also showed consistent play with a 193 (97-96), Lydon posted a 195 (98-97), while Johnson improved significantly for a 200 total (103-97). Blaine finished with a 204 (103-101), and Burke carded a 207 (106-101).
While initial nerves may have impacted some scores on day 1, the team’s ability to bounce back and lower their scores on the final day highlighted their resilience against a stout field, which included six returning state tournament teams.
Said Coach Henke, “I am immensely proud of the indelible season this Red Oak golf team had and the lasting mark they’ve left on our program. Seniors Addey Lydon and Brynn Knaus will truly be missed, and I still cannot picture this team without them. They have been with us for five years, becoming a true staple in the Hawkeye 10, and it was incredibly special to see them cap their careers at the state tournament. I’m also so proud of senior Riley Burke for her impressive growth and becoming a vital part of our team in her first year with the program. Their collective effort and individual advancements have undeniably elevated Red Oak golf, and the best is surely yet to come. Next year, the Tigers will be led by a strong, upcoming senior class of Emily Sebeniecher, Ellison Johnson, and Nellie Blaine.”
 
Class 2A State Place Winners
    1. Oelwin, 666
    2. New Hampton, 673
    3.Sumner-Fredericksburg, 698
    4. Grundy Center, 705
    5. Roland-Story, 710
    6. Jesup, 741
    7., Red Oak, 760
    8. West Marshall, 763
    9. Shenandoah, 776
    10. Central Lyon, 783

Red Oak Tournament Totals
    1. Brynn Knaus, 172
    2. Emily Sebeniecher, 193
    3. Addey Lydon, 195
    4. Ellison Johnson 200
    5. Nellie Blaine, 204
    6. Riley Burke, 207