Detroit Lakes' Smith makes history

Kate Smith isn't an emotional person. But she couldn't get off the 18th green at Ridges at Sand Creek on Wednesday without shedding tears.

The Detroit Lakes senior rolled in 6-foot par putt on the final hole of the Class 2A tournament in Jordan to share girls' medalist honors with Visitation's Anni Heck, and become the state's first five-time individual champion in girls' or boys' golf. Heck concluded play just prior to Smith's final putt.

"That was the longest 6-foot putt of my career," said Smith, who finished tied with Heck at 5-under-par 139. "I thought it was going to stop halfway there. I was extremely happy when it went in."

Smith ended her career with five consecutive rounds of 2-under-par or lower in the state meet. She shot a 70 in the final round after opening with a 3-under-par 69 on Tuesday.

"I didn't play my best, but I hit the ball really well," Smith said. "Some putts didn't fall, and it made for a stressful situation coming down to the end."

It marked the third time Smith shared the title. She won the championship outright in 2012 and 2015.

"Today has been so emotional, and history making," Detroit Lakes coach Cali Harrier said. "Kate is a coach's dream."

"Those two holes were the game-changer," Heck said. "My game is as strong as it's ever been right now."

It had to be to equal Smith, who wasn't done holding up championship trophies. The Lakers won the team title for the fourth time over the same span. They finished nine strokes ahead of Lake City.

"We didn't think we could get it done this year," Smith said. "It's all so surreal being my senior year. It's amazing."

In the boys' tournament, Blake sophomore Derek Hitchner was seeking a signature round. It came at the most opportune time.

Hitchner fired a blazing 7-under-par 65 in the opening round in the morning, and cruised to an 11-stroke victory. It also helped the Bears successfully defend their team title, which they shared with Mankato East last year.