Colfax golfer Abby DeMoe takes the top individual qualifying spot for state
By Amber Hayden
HAYWARD – Abby DeMoe and Morgan Schleusner went into last Monday’s WIAA Division 2 Girls’ Golf Sectional expecting the worst as the October 1 weather conditions had been shaping up for another round of rain, but the pair were surprised along with their coach Ryan Krall as the rain held off long enough them to finish their rounds.
The one-day event was hosted at the Hayward Golf Course which is a par 72 course.
“Weather-wise we certainly dodged a bullet today as the temperatures were significantly warmer than we thought they might be,” commented Krall.
Junior golfer Abby DeMoe proved that in the biggest moments she was able to step up when she needed to.
And in doing so, DeMoe earned her third consecutive trip to the WIAA State Girls’ Golf tournament in Madison, qualifying with a sectional score of 83 and finishing in third place overall.
“I wasn’t really nervous because this was already my biggest accomplishment,” commented DeMoe, “it was different though because we had never been in a conference before, this time we all knew we were golfing for something bigger.”
DeMoe finished behind two players that were part of qualifying teams, therefore making Abby the top individual qualifier from the Hayward sectional this year.
Northwestern junior Kiernan Smith shared medalist honors with Hayward senior Emily Neff as both finished with scores of 78. The host Hayward Hurricanes won the sectional team championship with a 384 while Northwestern grabbed the other state team qualifying berth by finishing second with a 392.
“Abby deserves all the accolades she has received this season,” stated Krall, “she is a great kid that makes great decisions on and off the course … we need more kids like Abby involved in all of our athletic programs.”
Coach Krall feels that DeMoe has higher expectations this year than just being happy to qualify for state.
“My goal is to take a top ten spot, so I’m going into this with a positive mindset. But when I step up to tee off my mind is clear, cause usually if it isn’t that’s when things go wrong,” DeMoe said with a laugh.
Junior Morgan Schleusner also had a strong finish to her season shooting a 102 in her final event of the season, explained coach Krall.
“After not making sectionals last year we were really happy for Morgan to make it back there today,” stated Krall, “to the site where she had previously qualified as a freshmen in 2016.”
Schleusner’s score was good enough to earn her a 14th place tie with Spooner’s Lily Arf in Hayward Sectional as she has worked all season on improving her short game.
DeMoe explained that she was happy Schleusner had made it with her to Hayward and it was a flashback to their freshmen year together when they had qualified the first time and had made it to Hayward then also.
Coach Krall is excited for Schleusner’s senior year and believes she can contend for a state appearance in the 2019 season.
“We are very excited to represent our team, school and community at state next week,” Krall said.
Abby DeMoe along with coach Krall traveled to Madison Sunday October 6 for a practice round of golf at the University Ridge Golf Course, site of the WIAA Girls’ State Golf tournament which took place on Monday and Tuesday, October 7 and 8.
SECTIONAL TEAM RESULTS: 1. Hayward 384, 2. Northwestern 392, 3. Amery 407, 4. Ladysmith 414, 5. Saint Croix Central 419, 6. Somerset 424, 7. Osceola 425, 8. Flambeau 442.
GIRLS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: 3. Abby DeMoe 83, 14. Morgan Schleusner 102.