With the countdown to her tee time well under way, Alison Stutzman was feeling like some of her teammates – nervous.

Thursday, April 13, 2000

With the countdown to her tee time well under way, Alison Stutzman was feeling like some of her teammates – nervous.

"It’s nerve wracking," the sophomore said. "I’m excited because I’m playing varsity, but nervous too."

So was sophomore Brittany Bertilson, who became Austin’s No. 1 player the moment Lacey Erickson accepted her diploma last spring.

"She’s never played No. 1 before," Austin coach Mark Anderson said. "She’s pretty wound up."

But in the end, the nerves subsided and the young Austin girls’ golf team came extremely close to one of the Big Nine favorites. Playing the front nine at the Austin Country Club, Rochester Century edged Austin by a mere 10 strokes, 187 to 197.

"I’m really happy with the way we played," said Anderson, who last season coached an experienced Austin team to a Big Nine-title tie with Owatonna.

Bertilson never appeared nervous in tying for the meet medalist honors with a low score of 43. She reached the green on the 377-yard No. 1 hole in two true iron shots before putting twice for par.

"She was a little frustrated," Anderson said. "She said she wasted three strokes."

Eighth grader Andrea Petersen and freshman Claire Johnson filed in behind Bertilson with each scoring 51.

Stutzman finished at 52 and senior Kelly Jones came in at 55.

Century was paced by three freshman, co-medalist Cassie Wells (43), Marissa Navarro (46) and Erin Schlier (48).

The Panthers, Anderson said, are frighteningly good for their ages. Most of the Panthers lineup returned from last season.

"I’ve heard that some of their girls golfed every day last summer," said the Austin coach who wouldn’t have predicted a 10-stroke difference before the meet.

"I shouldn’t be surprised with the way we played," Anderson said. "We’ve been scoring well in practice."

In fact, Bertilson played the Country Club’s back nine to the tune of 39 at practice on Tuesday.

Last season, Austin opened with an 18-hole total of 403. Already, these young Packers are ahead of that pace.

"I was worried because Century is going to be really good," Anderson said. "But I was impressed today."