Historical powers Omaha Marian, Omaha Duchesne and Minden look to add to state record books
By Tony Chapman
For the Nebraska School Activities Association
Traditional powers seem to be a mainstay at the Nebraska girls state golf tournament and the story is no different when the 2025 event kicks off on Monday at three sites statewide. Tee times will begin at 9:00 a.m. local time on October 13th.
Defending champions Omaha Marian (Class A), Omaha Duchesne (Class B) and 2025 Class C runner-up Minden are favorites heading into next week with a chance to add to their historic championship totals. A Marian title would tie them on the all-time team championship list with Lincoln Southeast (13). Minden and Duchesne each have 11 state championships.
Live scoring for the event is available on the NSAA website and provided in partnership with the Nebraska Golf Association. Championship play will be over 36 holes and medals are awarded to the top 15 and ties in each class. Up to date championship information will be delivered via the NSAA Golf Championship Central page.
CLASS A: Marian’s Eyes Repeat; Southwest’s Larson a Third Title
A few constants over the past few years at the Class A girls state golf tournament have been Omaha Marian’s team success and Eden Larson’s individual titles at Grand Island’s Riverside Golf Club.
Larson — an Omaha commit — begins her quest for a third straight individual title on Monday. She fired rounds of 74 and 73 a year ago for a three-shot win over Fremont’s Ansley Giesselman. A victory would make her just the fifth three or four-time champion in state history. Larson shot 2-under par 70 at the Heartland Athletic Conference tournament on October 3rd, which was also played at Riverside.
Also chasing history is defending team champion Omaha Marian, which has one of the deepest teams in Class A history. On three occasions this fall, the Crusaders’ closest competition in a team event was their second five. It gives coach Robert Davis an interesting dilemma in trying to select his final five when conference and district time rolls around.
“It can be very difficult,” the coach said, of getting down to his starting group. “But, I think it also brings out the best in everyone, too. This year, we have our top-five all in the range of 75 to 82 for the season and our second five was right behind them between 82 and 87.”
But, as deep as Marian seems to be, they certainly aren’t running away with the Class A title. In fact, they were defeated in the Metro Conference tournament by 2024 runner-up Omaha Westside when the Warriors nipped the Crusaders by a shot.
“A lot of the girls on both teams go back to elementary school,” Westside coach Jered Hellman said. “There is a common respect and admiration between both programs. Our girls have worked tirelessly to close the gap on Marian.”
The teams combined for nine district medals. Marian — playing in a constant rain at Lincoln’s Mahoney Golf Course — took spots 3-7 at the district with scores from 79 to 85 while Westside got champion Addison Benge at Norfolk while going 1, 2, 4, 5 in the individual race.
Larson’s Southwest team, along with conference mates Columbus and Kearney — both district champions — should also have a say in the team race. The Silver Hawks, who had top freshman Naryn Kim return from injury for their conference meet, won the HAC Tournament and finished second to Columbus in district play.
District Team Champions: Columbus, Kearney, Omaha Marian, Omaha Westside.
Other Team Qualifiers: Elkhorn South, Grand Island, Kearney, Lincoln East, Lincoln Southeast, Lincoln Southwest, Millard North, Norfolk, North Platte,
District Individual Champions: Molly Goc (Columbus), Ellen Bode (Elkhorn South), Tasha Kolbas (Lincoln East), Addison Benge (Omaha Westside).
Returning Medalists: Bode, Lauren Lydiatt (Kearney), Kolbas, Larson (2023, 2024 champion), Allie Jones (North Platte), Murnan, Mackintosh, Schmitz, Benge, Chloe DiPrima (Omaha Westside).
Golf Course: Riverside Golf Club | 2820 Riverside Dr., Grand Island, NE 68801 | Host professional: Brian Fauss | Yardage: 5,454 yards | Par: 72 | Website
CLASS B: Duchesne and Elkhorn North Lead Pack
Omaha Duchesne Academy and Elkhorn North shared high drama in last year’s Class B team race that ended with Cardinals mounting a back nine surge that propelled them to a one-shot team win over the Wolves.
That team duo is at it again in 2025 as they bring the top two team differentials to the state tournament at Scotts Bluff Country Club. Duchesne is looking for its fourth straight team title and eighth since 2015, while Elkhorn North was the last team other than Duchesne to take a title, winning in 2021.
“I think we are really just trying to do everything we can to put our best foot forward and play some good golf,” Wolves coach Calvin Thompson said. “The experience (in Scottsbluff) is so enjoyable. We are just excited to have another go at it. To go out west where the course is special and the treatment we get every year is just amazing.”
The Cardinals easily won the B-1 District at York Country Club and placed all five of their players in the top 10. Defending state champion Whitney Dahir won the meet with a 75, while teammates Martha Mullen (78) and Kasha Stolberg (80) were second and third, respectively.
Further west — and playing in tougher conditions on Monday — Thompson’s Wolves carded a 332 at Jackrabbit Run in Grand Island. Four of his players were in the top 10 with junior Avery Peter winning medalist honors at 5-over par 77.
While the two teams have not competed against each other this season, they carry similar season differentials and Elkhorn North owns a head-to-head victory over Class A contender Omaha Westside. Each team has three players in the top 12 of the Class B differentials.
Also improving as the season came along is B-3 champion Gretna East, which beat Elkhorn North for the Eastern Midlands Conference title. Home town Scottsbluff has a history of performing well on its home course as the Bearcats and Norris — third place a year ago — played to a near dead heat at Monday’s district.
“Gretna East got us most recently,” Thompson said. “We are excited to see them again. And Scottsbluff always comes to mind to me. Each year they always seem to have some magic up their sleeve and they just play really well at state.”
In all, 13 individual medalists return from the 2024 meet including the top three, which include Dahir, Scottsbluff’s Addison Peck (the B-4 champion) and Natalie Shield of Norris, who tied Peck for the B-4 championship.
District Team Champions: Elkhorn North, Gretna East, Norris, Omaha Duchesne.
Other Team Qualifiers: Bennington, Elkhorn, Gering, Northwest, Lincoln Pius X, Omaha Skutt Catholic, Scottsbluff, Sidney.
District Individual Champions: Avery Peter (Elkhorn North), Hadley Babe (Gretna East), Whitney Dahir (Omaha Duchesne), Addison Peck (Scottsbluff).
Returning Medalists: Julia Messere (Aurora, Class C medalist with GICC in 2024), Makaila Behrens (Bennington), Annabelle Bang (Elkhorn), Peter, Reese Gloystein (Elkhorn North), Babe, Hannah Swanson (Lincoln Pius X), Natalie Shield (Norris), Dahir, Kasha Stolbberg (Omaha Duchesne), Peck, Elliot Selzer (Scottsbluff), Josie Rauert (York).
Golf Course: Scotts Bluff Country Club | 5014 Avenue I Scottsbluff NE 69363 | Host professionals: Max Hadenfeldt, Trevor Chesnut | Yardage: 5,467 yards | Par: 72 | Website
CLASS C: After 2024 Heartbreak, Minden Seeks 12th Team Title
If anyone can tell you how important each shot is on a golf course, it is Minden head coach Whitney Maulsby. After taking a six shot lead into the second-day a season ago, the Whippets watched Wayne come from behind for a one-shot win in the team race.
“We have approached this season a little bit differently,” Maulsby said. “If we want different things, we have to do different things. Especially at the course we play in North Platte; it’s a golf course that is all about making smart choices.
“What we really worked hard on this year was the mental side of the game and making better choices on the course. We focused on the very next shot all season. When you lose (the) state (tournament) by a shot, it is very difficult mentally. So we have really worked on if you hit a bad shot, don’t let it turn into two or three or a bad hole.”
Maulsby’s Whippets have done just that in an undefeated season that has been led by senior KayLynn Jorgensen. The South Dakota pledge had a scorching summer that included winning the Nebraska Junior Girls Match Play, but a Class C state title has eluded her so far. She is joined by three other seniors on the Whippet five — Shelby Nelson, Isabelle Martin and Lauren Starkey — as well as freshman sister Macy.
“We are really fortunate that we have two girls who have seen this golf course two other times. We think that will be very beneficial,” Maulsby said.
Minden will certainly have a worthy group of title contenders with them this year that is headlined by Scotus Central Catholic. The Shamrocks — in difficult conditions on Monday at Quail Run — put four golfers in the top five while counting a high score of just 92. Senior Kiya Taylor won with an 82.
Minden’s other two biggest competitors are familiar foes Adams Central and GICC, which they defeated on Tuesday at the C-4 District at Indianhead Golf Club. The Whippets won with 353, Adams Central was second at 374 and GICC third at 380. West Holt — with C-3 champion Delani Knust — also returns after finishing third in 2024.
Jorgensen, in fact, was runner-up at the district meet to three-time medalist Peyton Hartman of Adams Central. Hartman carded a 2-over 74 for a one-shot win.
“What happened on Tuesday at districts may have been a good thing and Kaylynn said just that,” Maulsby said. “We know how good Peyton is and she knows she has to compete against the best.”
Six other medalists return from 2024 including runner-up Mia Heibner from new co-op H&H.
District Team Champions: Minden, Scotus Central Catholic, Sutton, Valentine, West Holt,
Other Team Qualifiers: Adams Central, Battle Creek, Boone Central, Central City, Chadron, EMF, GICC, Gothenburg, Lincoln Christian, Wayne.
District Individual Champions: Peyton Hartman (Adams Central), Mia Hiebner (H&H), Kiya Taylor (Scotus Central Catholic), Tierney Milker (Valentine), Delani Knust (West Holt).
Returning 2024 Medalists: Hartman (Adams Central Class B in 2024), Abigail Klooz (EMF), Hiebner, Jorgensen, Miller, Carli Canham (Wayne), Knust.
Golf Course: Lake Maloney Golf Course | 608 Birdie Lane, North Platte NE 69101 | Club Manager: Derek Geise | Yardage: 5,017 yards | Par: 72 | Website
Tony Chapman is a freelance writer based in Grand Island. He has written for multiple Nebraska daily and weekly newspapers. His weekly Harvest Sports Newsletter covers a wide variety of Nebraska prep sports.