BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT
VERONA – Bay Port Lady Pirates golfer Jo Baranczyk saved her best for last.
The freshman Baranczyk fired a 10-over par, two-day total of 154 to finish in a tie for fifth place in the WIAA Girls Division 1 State Championship on Oct. 9-10 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona.
The Fox River Classic Conference golfer of the year finished nine shots behind champion Mia Seeman from Milton and just one shot out of fourth place. Only three rounds from the 78 participants were at or under par, with Seeman firing the only under-par round in the two days.
“University Ridge is one of my very favorite courses,” said Baranczyk, who sat tied for sixth after day one. “It is both challenging and beautiful. I think that being a part of the first ever Bay Port girls’ golf team to participate at state was an amazing experience.”
Baranczyk’s solid two days helped Bay Port finish 10th out of 12 teams in its first-ever appearance at the state tournament. Arrowhead finished with a two-day total of 630 to win the title by 27 strokes ahead of runner-up Milton. The Pirates had a total of 744, which equaled 168-over par and 114 shots out of first. FRCC rival Green Bay Preble finished last of the 12 teams, 46 shots behind Bay Port.
“I can tell that it got us girls that will be returning next year really pumped up to get there again,” added Baranczyk. “It was bittersweet for the two seniors (Tori Grimm and Lauren Lemorande) who are now done.
“The weather went from 70 and sunny Monday, to 50 and cloudy on Tuesday. I had a rough finish both days, but my goal was top five and I did that.”
Other members of the state team were Grimm, who finished 59th (192), Courtney Koeberl (65th, 201), Lemorande (68th, 203) and Madelyn Peters (69th, 205).
The state championships brought with it an ending to the most successful season in Bay Port girls’ golf history. Baranczyk easily won the conference player-of-the-year and the Pirates won their first-ever sectional title leading up to state. Bay Port finished in a tie for second in the FRCC behind Green Bay Notre Dame.
“It was an incredible year for our program,” said second-year head coach Jeff Johnsen. “Making it to state for the first-time ever and then tying our low team total for the year in round one (at state) was fun to watch. The girls peaked at the right time. The state experience was very enjoyable for all the girls and the returning varsity girls are motivated to return in 2018.
“Jo represented herself and Bay Port very well. For a freshman to do what she did in tough conditions on Tuesday, says a lot about her now and where she is going.”