O-F girls hope newcomers boost team along with returning letterwinners
The 2025 prep girls golf season is underway in Wisconsin and the Osseo-Fairchild High School team has already played in two meets.
Last week Monday, Aug. 18, the Thunder began the season competing in the Eau Claire North Husky Invitational played at Lake Hallie Golf Course. OFHS didn't have numbers at this meet for a full team score but sophomore golfer Alexis Ness finished eighth individually with a score of 86. Colfax/Elk Mound golfer, senior and defending individual state champion, Belle Kongshaug won the season-opener with a score of two-below par 70 and her freshman sister Clara shot a 73 to finish third with Hudson sophomore Ava Swavely second at 71. The Kongshaug's helped Colfax/EM win the team title with a score of 328 and their presence along make their one best in the state in Division 2 besides being the overwhelming favorite to repeat as CloverCroix Conference and regional champs.
Ness is one of two returning letterwinners for O-F. The other is junior Sophie Pernsteiner. All-conference golfer and sectional qualifier along with Ness, Hailie Knudtson graduated.
"Sophie has a big chance of making a big impact this season," Osseo-Fairchild head coach Kelsey Higley said. "She really improved last season and worked hard over the summer.
"Alexis, our returning No. 1 golfer from last year, will anchor the team," Higley said. "She is solid off the tee, and around the greens, and a strong leader for the team."
Ness finished 7th shooting a 90 in the 18-hole Trempealeau Mountain Invitational, held the very next day, Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Trempealeau Mountain Golf Course. Tomah won the team title shooting a combined 333 while O-F finished 10th out of 12 teams competing with a team score of 510.
Boosting the Thunder are three newcomers to the team, all juniors, who will actually compete as a team with at least four individual scores recorded. They are Leah Klevgard, Kenna Gruba, and Emma Lyngen.
"All three girls are very motivated and worked hard over the summer, they all have a chance of making an impact," Higley said.
Gruba competed in her first-ever prep meet at the Husky Invite and finished 44th with a score 117, better than some of her big school competitors. Kievgard was 49th at 132, also in her first-ever 18-hole prep meet.
O-F finished fourth in their first conference meet of the season played Thursday, Aug. 21 at Bloomer's Veteran's Memorial Golf Course. Colfax/EM of course took first with a score of 17 followed by Bloomer 200, Stanley-Boyd 213, O-F 221, new team Prairie Farm/Clayton 236 and Mondovi 275.
Ness tied for third with Bloomer's Illa Nelson in this nine-hole meet shooting a 45 behind the two Kongshaug's Belle (33) and Clara (40). Gruba shot a 56, Lyngen a 57 and Kievgard 63.
O-F hosts the next league meet this upcoming Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Osseo Golf Course beginning at 4 p.m.
"My expectations and hope is the girls improved each week, and lower their scores every match," Higley said. "I think we have a solid change to make it on to sectionals as a team and Ness could earn an individual spot in the state tournament."
