Wet and cool conditions didn't slow down the Marshall girls golf team Saturday at the Mankato Girls Golf Invite in Mankato. That is, not until the tournament was called off due to rain when golfers were on their second nine holes.
Nine-hole scores were used for the final team results and Marshall finished in third in the seven-team tournament with its score of 192. The Tigers finished behind two state tournament qualifiers from last season. Providence Academy, last year's runner-up at the Class A state tournament, took first with a score of 182. Mounds View, a state qualifier in Class AAA, came in second with a 186.
Providence Academy's Raelyn Spears earned medalist honors with her round of 40. Marshall's top finishers were Jessica Blanchard and Hanna Peterson, who each shot 45.
Allie Pogatchinik provided the Tigers with a third score in the 40s with her round of 49. Kirsten Webskowski added a 53, Laura Mitlyng had a 58 and Hannah Pfeiffer shot a round of 63.
Marshall head coach Nancy Blanchard said she was pleased to see how her golfers handled some unfavorable conditions.
"They played in 45-degree weather and rain for most of it, along with a little wind, and they didn't let that bother them at all," she said.
Blanchard said the teams played on a links-style course with few trees and difficult greens. Although the Marshall golfers didn't have prior experience on the course, they didn't seem to have many problems with it.
"They were playing well on the second nine," Blanchard said. "Most girls were playing even better on the second nine than the front nine when (officials) decided to call (the tournament)," Blanchard said. "I think the girls were a little mad they called it. (The officials) thought it would get worse, and by the time we were driving home the rain had stopped.
"But I think it should give the girls some confidence knowing scoring on a course like that against some tough competition."
The Marshall girls resume Southwest Conference competition Tuesday with a dual against Luverne at Marshall Golf Club.
Team Results: 1. Providence Academy 183, 2. Mounds View 186, 3. Marshall 192, 4. Mankato East 195, 5. Mankato West 197, 6. Shakopee 216, 7. Watertown-Mayer 227.
Marshall Individual Results
Jessica Blanchard 45, Hanna Peterson 45, Allie Pogatchinik 49, Kirsten Webskowski 53, Laura Mitlyng 58, Hannah Pfeiffer 63.