Blair High School senior Anna Moore hasn't always met her high expectations this golf season.
There's been ups and downs, but they all resulted in her third-straight Class B State Championships qualification. Junior Mallory Stirek and she accomplished that mission Monday during the B2 District Tournament at River Wilds Golf Club.
“State has been the goal the entire year,” Moore said. “It's been what's worrying me. Every time I do bad, that's what's been running through my mind.”
The Bear was nervous that her season's few low points would follow her into district competition.
“But, you know, it worked out,” she said.
Coach Ross Udey's three-time state qualifier took 92 swings over 18 holes Monday, earning ninth. Stirek, meanwhile, carded 94 strokes, tying Kathlene Schultz of Elkhorn for 10th and securing one of the last two individual state spots available.
Overall, BHS finished fourth during district competition — just one spot out of its third-straight team qualification. Bennington edged out the Bears, 406 strokes to 420, for third behind first-place Omaha Duchesne (332) and second-place Elkhorn North (334). The Wolves' Julia Karmazin was the individual medalist with a 1-under par 71, while her sister, Emily, shot a 74 for second.
In addition to Moore and Stirek's scores Monday, Blair's Addie Stirek took 108 swings for coach Udey's team. Carrie Truhlsen shot a 126 and Emma Wilson carded a 132 as well.
It was Moore who led the way, though. She shot her 92 by shaking off bad swings rather than dwelling on them.
“I stayed calm through the entire thing,” she said. “If I had a bad shot, I was like, 'OK, that didn't happen.'”
Mallory Stirek, meanwhile, booked her state trip with a strong start. The junior three-time qualifier came immediately off of the range and hit par on hole Nos. 1-3, three of the most difficult at River Wilds.
“I think I came out with a good attitude, which really helped,” she said.
Play got difficult, though. Stirek made a few errors during the middle stages of her round and felt her state chances slipping away.
“I made it work somehow,” the Bear said. “I didn't think I was going.”
The junior didn't know for sure until it was confirmed to her in the clubhouse. The waiting period was grueling.
“It was an awful feeling,” Stirek said. “It was up in the air.”
Until it wasn't. A long road trip to Monday and Tuesday's Class B championships at Scotts Bluff Country Club was confirmed. Both Moore and she are headed to Scottsbluff to play two more rounds.
“I'm proud of it,” Stirek said.
It's a feeling she and her senior teammate can share.
