Albany golfer helps make state a team thing

ALBANY — The best part of the 2019 golf season wasn't only that she got to play in the state meet, it's that Brooke Lemke got to do it with her Albany teammates.

"This year was the most special of them all," Lemke said. "I was really proud of us all.

"I was really proud that we made it as a team."

While it was Lemke's third state meet in a row, it was Albany's first as a team in 10 years. Lemke led the way to state, winning the Section 6-2A title as the Huskies wound up seventh in Class 2A in the two-day tournament at The Ridges of Sand Creek in Jordan.

Lemke's season helped her earn St. Cloud Times All-Area Girls Golf Player of the Year honors. The sophomore leads the four-person team selected by the Times. Also on the squad is Albany teammate Kaiya Schneider, as well as ROCORI's Brooke Krebs and Sartell's Kristin Martens.

"Brooke is a winner," Albany head coach Mike Sieben stated. "Brooke has great focus and consistency in her play, which is why she was at or near the top of the leaderboard in our meets this season."

Lemke won six events, finishing off with the Section 6-2A title. She also won three Granite Ridge Conference meets and two other invitationals. Along the way, she won the conference overall title with 45.5 points over six meets.

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Other than a couple of so-so rounds at state, it was a really strong season. Lemke finished tied for 35th overall at state, shooting 88 and 92 for a 180 total.

"Obviously, it was a little disappointing," Lemke said. I was still having fun and it was still an accomplishment just to get to the the tournament.

"I was really excited our team made it because we were really proud of our sections."

Truth be told, though, and Lemke readily admits her favorite sport isn't golf. 

"My favorite is hockey," she admitted. "I just enjoy it the most."

Golf? "I try to fit it in as much as I can," she said. "I get some days on the course."

She plays for the River Lakes Stars, which includes players mainly from Albany, ROCORI and New London-Spicer.  And, she plays volleyball for Albany. 

"Her first love is hockey," Sieben said.

Golf's not far behind. The Huskies had a young team with ninth-grader Abby Thelen and juniors Schneider, Brooke Schleicher, Leah Lobitz and Kiley Kotzer all returning after their state tournament experience.

More: Isabelle Albers has her big moment at state

As for next year, that'll wait. There are volleyball and hockey seasons to get through.

"I haven't thought much about it," Lemke said. "I have a goal to get back to the state tournament. But before that, you've got to make it to the second day of sections. That's the No. 1 priority right there."

A look at the all-area team: 

Brooke Lemke, Albany

The sophomore has been to three state tournaments and led the Huskies to the Class 2A team tournament for the first time in 10 seasons. Among her individual victories included Granite Ridge Conference tops at Albany, Milaca and Little Falls.

Brooke Krebs, ROCORI

The junior had a very strong state meet, tying for 26th place in Class 2A with rounds of 85 and 89 for a 174 at The Ridges of Sand Creek in Jordan. She tied for 10th in the Central Lakes Conference, earning All-CLC honors by tying for 10th place. She has been to state three times, taking 37th as a sophomore.

Kristin Martens, Sartell

The senior earned All-Central Lakes Conference honors, tying for 10th in the overall season standings for the Sabres, who finished third in the CLC and wound up fifth in Section 8-3A. She also earned all-state honors in swimming and was a Times All-Area honorable mention.

Kaiya Schneider, Albany

The junior earned All-Granite Ridge Conference honors for the second straight year and was a consistent top-two scorer for the Huskies. She won two meets during the season and is one of the longest hitters in the area. She finished 40th at the state meet, shooting rounds of 88 and 94 for a 182.

Honorable mention

Elaina Davis (Milaca, sr.); Molly Herker (St. Cloud Cathedral, sr.); Katie LeBlanc (Pierz, jr.); Kelli Loscheider (Sartell, Sr.); Keely Murphy (Foley, sr.); Abby Turkowski (Little Falls, 8th).

Follow Tom Elliott on Twitter @sctimestom. Call him at 320-259-3661 or send an email to telliott@stcloudtimes.com.

All-Area lineup

Here's the order of all-area teams planned for the spring season:

Tuesday, June 18 — Softball

Wednesday, June 19 — Boys tennis

Thursday, June 20 — Girls track and field

Friday, June 21 — Boys track and field

Saturday, June 22 — Girls golf

Sunday, June 23 — Boys golf

Monday, June 24 — Baseball

Tuesday, June 25 — Times Female Athlete of the Year

Wednesday, June 26 — Times Male Athlete of the Year

Thursday, June 27 — Times Coach of the Year

Player of the year

Here's a list of Times Girls Golf Players of the Year: 

2018 — Molly Fossen, Sartell

2017 — Macy Erson, Becker

2016 — Lauren Herker, St. Cloud Cathedral