By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
BROWN DEER – Bay Port High School senior golfer Jo Baranczyk won her second consecutive Wisconsin PGA Junior Championship June 24-25 at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Brown Deer.
Baranczyk, also a two-time, WIAA Division 1 high school state champ, shot a 6-over par, 149 in her two rounds to win by two shots over Franklin’s Mallory Swartz.
“It means lots to win again,” said Baranczyk. “I worked hard over the winter to improve my game. I played more consistent and had fun with the girls I was paired with.”
Baranczyk shot a 76 on day one, which put her in a tie for second, one stroke behind Swartz.
Her 73 on day two was the best round of the tournament overall.
“My driving was a little inconsistent the first day, but it was better the second day – I hit lots of fairways,” Baranczyk said. “I also pulled my putting together the second day.”
She finished with five birdies, 26 pars and 10 bogeys in her 36 holes of play.
Baranczyk said conditions were good, despite the rain the course received the night before the tournament began.
She’ll be attending North Dakota State University (NDSU) to golf in 2021, but she hopes to repeat her state title this fall for the Pirates.
“I committed to NDSU this past winter,” said Baranczyk. “It was a big decision, but my brother, Jed, also goes there. He and I always wanted to attend the same college, but that didn’t make my final decision. A couple of my friends are also going there, but the coach at NDSU was the deciding factor – it’s a great program.”
Baranczyk said she hopes the WIAA and Bay Port decide it’s okay to golf this fall in competition, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I hope it all works out,” she said. “There’s natural social distancing in golf. Bay Port’s team is looking good, and I hope we can show what we can do. Winning my third state championship is also on my mind.”
Other local finishers in the tournament included De Pere’s Jolie Guyette (11th – 161), Bay Port’s Avery Dudra (t-16th – 165) and Abbey Beranek (48th – 191) and Ashwaubenon’s Rylie Severson (t-31st – 179).