Austin’s team score of 358 was good enough to advance into Tuesday’s final round of golf at Cannon Falls, but 15 strokes out of first place is almost too far.

Friday, May 25, 2001

Austin’s team score of 358 was good enough to advance into Tuesday’s final round of golf at Cannon Falls, but 15 strokes out of first place is almost too far.

The Packer girls, who suffered just one dual-meet loss during the regular season, are in third after the first round of sections golf and have qualified for next Tuesday’s finals as one of the top eight teams from Wednesday’s play.

Austin trails first-place Red Wing by 15 strokes. The Wingers shot 343 and lead Faribault by seven strokes. Rochester Century is just two shots behind the Packers.

"We can’t blame the rain and the cold," said AHS coach Mark Anderson. "We just didn’t have our top game today. I know the girls will come out and jump all over the leaders – Red Wing and Faribault."

"I look for us to score well at Cannon Falls even though it is a harder course."

Brittany Bertilson’s round of 82 led Austin through the first round, and was the fourth-best score of the day.

Andrea Petersen shot 90, her best as a Packer golfer, and Claire Johnson added a 91. Alison Stutzman shot 95 to post Austin’s score at 358. Emily Lorenzen added a 96 and Noelle Wiebelhaus shot a 97.

"We couldn’t get that other middle-80s score today that we had been getting all year long," Anderson added. "Most of the girls putted well, but two struggled and were around 42-43 putts. That will add up on a scorecard fast."

Faribault’s first-round 350 was their best 18-hole team score of the season according to Anderson, who is not so worried about the Falcons.

"I am looking at Red Wing as the one we need to focus on," he said. "It will be tough, but it isn’t impossible to come back from 15 strokes."

Team standings: Red Wing 343, Faribault 350, Austin 358, Century 360, Lakeville 372, Eagan 373, Owatonna 375, Winona 383

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at sports@austindailyherald.com.