Red numbers were periodically showing up on scorecards over the past two days at Ridges at Sand Creek. It's a familiar color for Kate Smith.
The Detroit Lakes junior became the second girls' golfer to win four consecutive individual state championships, capturing the Class 2A crown by two strokes under ideal conditions at the golf course in Jordan. Smith shared the title each of the previous two seasons.
"I achieved all the goals I set out for myself this year," Smith said. She registered back-to-back under-par rounds to finish with a 7-under 137 in the two-day event. "When you accomplish your goals, it's something to be proud of."
Katie Detlefsen of Minnehaha Academy was the first four-time champion. She won the Class 1A title from 2004 to '07.
"I've definitely learned how to deal with pressure," Smith said. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy this year. That's why I put in so much hard work."
Smith shared the lead with Minnewaska senior Jenna Janu heading into the final round. They both shot 4-under 68s on Tuesday.
The tandem matched each other on the back nine Wednesday, too. They both shot 3-under 33s.
"It was a battle all the way to the end," Smith said. "Jenna played great."
The difference came on the front nine, where Smith recorded an even-par 36 while Janu shot a 2-over 38.
"I came into the week wanting to shoot a 140," Smith said. Runner-up Janu finished with a 139. "I was hoping that was going to be enough to medal and bring our team to victory."
Smith had a dozen rounds under par, including her two in Jordan, for the season. She fired a season-best 8-under 64 in winning the Staples-Motley Invitational at the Vintage at Staples.
"I had a great year," Smith said. "It was crazy."
Detroit Lakes did see its run of three consecutive team championships come to an end. Red Wing overcame a seven-stroke deficit on the final day to edge the Lakers by three strokes.
"I'm sad about what happened to our team," Smith said. "That hurts a little bit."
Handling the pressure
Blake sophomore Reece Sanders chucked his ball after a double bogey on the ninth hole. The tension was starting to get to the first-round leader, as well as the other boys' golfers trying to catch him.
"I never realized how hard it was to play with a lead," Sanders said. He regained his composure on the back nine to win with a two-day total of 138. "I was starting to feel the pressure."
Sanders finished the front nine on Wednesday with a 1-over 37. The previous day, he walked away from the course after shooting a 5-under 67.
"My hands were starting to sweat," Sanders said.
Four consecutive one-putts (on the 12th through 15th holes) saved Sanders and his teammates. He recorded a 2-under 34 on the back side to earn a four-stroke victory over Providence Academy sophomore Paul Stankey.
"I actually thought I played better [Wednesday] than [Tuesday]," Sanders said. "I finished in the 20s (25th in 2014 and 27th in 2013) the past two years, and really wanted to win."
His late flourish and putting stroke on the back nine helped Blake earn a share of the team title. The Bears tied Mankato East with a 602.
"I really wanted to win the team title more than the individual," Sanders said. "This is really special."
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