BY RICH PALZEWIC
SPORTS EDITOR
NEW FRANKEN – First it was a Fox River Classic Conference Championship, next it was a WIAA regional title and now it’s a trip to team state for the Bay Port girls’ golf team.
Behind sophomore Jo Baranczyk’s winning par round of 72 at the Royal Scot Golf Club in New Franken, the Pirates won the WIAA D1 Green Bay Preble Sectional Oct. 2.
With only the top two teams advancing to state, Bay Port’s 343 total bested Kaukauna by seven strokes.
De Pere came in third with a 356 total.
“It had been a pleasure to coach this team,” said head coach Jeff Johnsen. “We had high expectations and they embraced the challenge. Each level of the season has increased with pressure and they’ve truly stepped up in the clutch every time. Going back to Madison will be exciting for the returning players and our new freshmen.”
The Pirates went to Madison as a team for the first time ever a year ago and took 10th as a team, with Baranczyk leading the way with a fifth-place finish individually.
Baranczyk, the FRCC player of the year for the second consecutive season, has a legitimate shot to bring home the title this year.
Courtney Koeberl (7 – 86), Abby Beranek (14 – 91), Avery Dudra (22 – 94) and Madelyn Peters (28 – 99) rounded out the Bay Port golfers who competed.
The WIAA state tournament will be Oct. 8-9 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison beginning at 8:00.