Blair High School senior Mallory Stirek played during her first NSAA Class B State Golf Championships in 2019.
The Bear carded 224 strokes across 36 holes, finishing 58th as a freshman.
Countless rounds, top finishes and years later, Stirek earned a state medal Tuesday at Monument Shadows Golf Course in Gering. She finished in a tie for 13th, taking 175 swings during the two-day tournament — her fourth-straight state championship event.
“Determination,” BHS coach Ross Udey said of his senior's rise from 58th to medalist. “It's been the goal since the get-go.”
While Omaha Duchesne and Anna Kelley of Scottsbluff started their way to state championships Monday, Stirek began her quest with 87 strokes across 18 holes — her career-best state round. She made five par shots and kept herself in contention with consistent play.
“Couple of things to address on the range,” Udey said Monday afternoon. “But a really nice day and some good golf. Played solid all day.”
The trend continued Tuesday.
Facing a stiff wind during the morning hours, Stirek carded three more strokes over her first seven holes than she did 24 hours earlier. She said she wasn't nervous, though, opting instead to enjoy her last high school round.
“You've just got to keep yourself in this,” the senior added. “You can't let it eat you alive.”
The Bear thrived on Nos. 8 through 16. She started by finishing off Nos. 8 and 9 with back-to-back pars.
“It got me going for the start of the next nine,” Stirek said.
The BHS standout then shot par on five of seven holes going onto the 17th tee box.
“Just about everything was working,” she said.
“She was on fire on that back-nine,” Udey added
Ultimately, Stirek finished her second state round with 88 swings, totaling 175 overall. She tied with Grand Island Northwest's Olivia Ottman, but was two strokes ahead of the 15th-place finishers — the cut-off point for medals.
The Bear's best state result capped four golf seasons of progress. After 224 strokes at state her freshman year, Stirek finished with 213 for 40th in 2020. Then, last fall, she was 24th with 198.
The Bear said she had to get better, though. Not only did she improve, the competition level in Class B did, too.
Instead of caving to the pressure, Stirek embraced it and put together a medal-winning effort in her fourth state trip.
“I'm one of them (improving),” she said. “I'm growing.”
To celebrate, the BHS senior said she'd get back in the car for the long drive back home. She planned on napping.
“I'll take the sleep,” Stirek said. “And maybe a complimentary ice cream.”
NSAA CLASS B STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
Monday-Tuesday at Monument Shadows, Gering
Team standings: Omaha Duchesne 653 strokes, Scottsbluff 661, Elkhorn North 695, Bennington 727, Beatrice 786, Grand Island Northwest 802, Norris 815, Waverly 828, Gering 835, York 840, Hastings 848, Lexington 935.
Top-15 medalists: 1, Anna Kelley, Scottsbluff, 141. 2, Julia Karmazin, Elkhorn North, 143. 3, Tia Phaisan, Waverly, 160. 4 (tie), Isabelle Gutschewski, Duchesne, and Whitney Dahir, Duchesne, 161. 6, Kiera Paquette, Beatrice, 163. 7, June Mullen, Duchesne, 165. 8, Nielli Heinold, Scottsbluff, 167. 9, Kathleen Kelley, Duchesne, 168. 10, Taylor Mazour, Northwest, 170. 11 (tie), Elizabeth Wright, Duchesne, and Madison Mumm, Gering, 171. 13 (tie), Mallory Stirek, Blair, and Olivia Ottman, Northwest, 175. 15 (tie), Emily Huff, Elkhorn North, and Shae Willats, Scottsbluff, and Payton Morgan, Bennington, 177.
Blair result: 13, Stirek, 175 strokes.
