Baranczyk repeats as state champ

By Rich Palzewic

Sports Editor

VERONA – Bay Port junior Jo Baranczyk saved her best effort for when it mattered most.

Trailing by six shots beginning the second day of play at the WIAA Division 1 individual state girls’ golf championship in Verona, Baranczyk played day two at 1-under par to capture the state title by one stroke over Brookfield Central’s Sarah Balding.

Baranczyk, who defended her state title from a year ago, was the only golfer in the field of 78 to shoot a round under par during the two-day tournament at the par 72 University Ridge Golf Course Oct. 14-15.

“It feels amazing and means a lot,” said Baranczyk via phone after her victory. “It was an exciting and interesting tournament. I felt confident I could come back after the first day. I was able to get back to my better golf I hadn’t seen in a while. It was definitely one of my better rounds.”

After day one, Baranczyk was 6-over par and sitting just inside the top ten, six shots back of the leader Balding.

She moved up eight spots on day two with five birdies to complete the comeback.

“I was a little nervous on day one,” Baranczyk said. “I missed a few putts, and it got in my head a little bit. My coach told me to keep my head up and keep going. I used the momentum I had at the end of round one on day two.”

On day two, Baranczyk had a one-shot lead going into hole 17, but a bogey dropped her back into a tie with Balding.

“When I was in the clubhouse waiting, I heard Sarah had birdied 16 and double-bogeyed 17,” said Baranczyk. “I practiced some putting, stayed warm and was preparing for a playoff. It was a little nerve-racking, but my team helped me.”

Baranczyk’s Bay Port team finished sixth among a dozen teams, with Green Bay Preble coming in 12th.

“It meant a lot to have the whole team there again,” Baranczyk said. “I love my team so much, and I’m so proud of them.”

Bay Port results

1, Jo Baranczyk, 149; T28, Avery Dudra, 172; T58, Abbey Beranek, 193; 64, Madelyn Peters, 194; T72, Brittney Koeberl, 208.

Green Bay Preble results

57, Kaci Duquaine, 189; T58, Lauren Bonetti, 193; T58, Emma Onesti, 193; 74, Kayla Willems, 210; 75, Sophia Zerillo, 212.

Other area individual results

T10, Sadie Kelley, Pulaski, 159; T28, Rylie Severson, Ashwaubenon, 172.