BLOOMING PRAIRIE — When a pair of Blooming Prairie golfers advanced to the Class A state meet as freshmen back in 2014, they could’ve felt content and been satisfied with their accomplishments.

But that wasn’t the case for BP junior Taylor Christianson, who took 40th in the Class A girls meet in 2015, and junior Tommy Braaten, who competed in the Class A boys meet in 2014 and missed state by one stroke last season. Both golfers are driven to not only get back to state this year, but to make some noise there as well.

After playing in multiple tournaments over the summer, Christianson and Braaten both spent a big part of their winter at a golf simulator which is set up by golf pro Aaron Ressler at Bunkies Grille and Lanes in BP. Christianson and Braaten were also part of a group of BP golfers who traveled down to Texas to play golf last week.

Christianson was glad to have success over the past two years, but she isn’t satisfied yet.

“If you have one year where you do really good, you always want to do better so you’re not stuck in a rut,” Christianson said. “Last year gave me confidence, but I want to play better and make the top five [at state] this year.”

Braaten has always focused himself on becoming a better golfer. He plays whenever he can, especially in the simulator when the weather doesn’t permit him to play outside.

“I play golf. I love golf,” Braaten said. “I go in there [to the simulator] as much as I can. Once you hit on there, it’s hard to translate the game over the course. It’s not the same.”

BP co-head coach Carl Peterson said that the work ethic of Christianson and Braaten have made them the golfers they are today. He predicts a strong season for both of them.

“If they play to their potential, I can see them both making the state tournament,” Peterson said. “Of course that’s never a guarantee in golf, because you can have a bad day. They’re both good players and I can foresee good things from them.”

Braaten and Christianson both have solid swings and most of the coaching they receive from Peterson has to do with course management and how to approach a certain hole. The mental game is always a factor as well — especially for Christianson, who doesn’t always have a lot of competition in meets since participation of girls in golf has declined in recent years.

“It gets to be a competition with myself,” Christianson said. “I try to stay upbeat and when I do play with friends, I try to make it fun and I don’t worry so much about competing with them.”

Both Braaten and Christianson consider golf their main sport, and Christianson said it has helped her bond with her dad.

“It means a lot to me and my dad. I’ve been playing it since I was young,” she said.

Braaten is focused on getting back to state after coming up one stroke short at the section meet last year.

“It’s definitely a motivator for me this year,” he said.

BP will host Triton in a home dual 4:30 p.m. Thursday and the BP boys will play in the Hayfield Invite 9:30 a.m. Saturday.