“It feels great. Like, you just can’t ask for much more when leaving the course today,” Dawson-Boyd sophomore Kylar Hjelmeland said. “The memories are life-long memories you do not forget, and just showing the younger girls in our program too, that anything can happen.”

Both Class A and Section 5A have been run by Dawson-Boyd for three years now. The Blackjacks won this season’s section tournament by an all-controlling 54 strokes. Being able to maintain its commanding reputation comes down to the hours spent by each girl in perfecting their craft, but also the unbreakable bond they share.

“Being a Blackjack and doing this is one of the best experiences. Getting to do it with my best friends is also another great experience,” senior Alyssa Swedzinski said. “I’m super proud of us and my team, and being able to do this just one more time.”

Dawson-Boyd took first with a 678, and Heritage Christian Academy was the runner-up with a score of 704. The Blackjacks’ finishing total was slightly higher than last year’s 669, and they shared the winning trophy in 2024 with Fillmore Central with a 652, as the tournament was shortened by two holes due to weather.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd's Alyssa Swedzinski (left) and Kylar Hjelmeland (right) receive the Blackjacks' Class A State Championship trophy and bring it back to the team on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Hjelmeland had a stellar performance and led the Blackjacks, earning an individual fifth-place medal. She carded an 8-over 160, highlighted by five birdies on day 2, and finished with eight total.

“Every day we show up to practice, we stay locked in and we get to business,” Hjelmeland said. “We definitely know how to have fun, but when we’re at the course, we know it’s time to be serious. That just shows the dedication and the time put in.”

Meaningfully, winning a third-straight title was the final accomplishment for Swedzinski, the team’s lone senior this season. She has been a part of all three championships and has continuously played a big role in the Blackjacks’ success.

“People are lucky to do this once, but I’ve been lucky to do this three times. So, heading out with this has been so much fun,” Swedzinski said. “I’ve really enjoyed being a Blackjack and getting to hang out with these wonderful ladies each and every day. It’s been great, and I’m super thankful to be a part of this program. I can’t wait to see where they take it.”

Swedzinski took on the lone leadership role this year after Dawson-Boyd graduated Lindsey Lund last year, a two-time state individual champion who now plays golf at Division I University of South Dakota after transferring from Winona State following her freshman year.

Photo by Samantha Davis: The Dawson-Boyd girls golf team begins to run to one another after after winning the Class A State Championship on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Lund was also in attendance on Wednesday to celebrate her former teammates bringing home another championship.

“It’s a group of girls that enjoy life and love to laugh. [I was] just talking [with] Lindsey and the team, and I mean, she is still super close with the girls … She said, ‘I have a hard time remembering a lot of the golf shots I hit, but I remember all of the bus rides, hotels and all that stuff,'” Dawson-Boyd head coach Cory Larson said. “That’s part of it, enjoying it, and then they are competitive and extremely coachable. They want not only to do well themselves, they get excited about when someone on the team has a career round or plays really, really well … They are good kids, and solid individuals.”

But, Wednesday didn’t mark the final time Swedzinski will compete. She will transition from a Blackjack to a Mustang, as she is committed to play golf at Southwest Minnesota State University.

A handful of Blackjacks commented that a large part of the program’s success comes down to trust in one another.

“It feels amazing … Honestly, we are all so close to each other,” Laura Schreier said. “We all believe in each other. Our support within our team is the best, so I think that helps a lot, honestly.”

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd head coach Cory Larson shared a hug with senior Alyssa Swedzinski after she finished her final hole at the Class A State Tournament on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Claire Stratmoen placed 19th individually with a 171 and recorded three birdies in the tournament. Swedzinski followed a stroke behind with a 172, powered by a trio of birdies on day 1. Schreier also put together a 175 for 26th place, as Chloe Stratmoen and Myiah Bothun rounded out the Blackjacks’ lineup with a 215 and 231, respectively.

“It takes a lot of practice, and we know when to lock in. It’s a lot of time in the offseason, a bunch of us go for lessons and stuff, and that helps a lot. It’s just [about] putting in the work,” Schreier said.

Swedzinski was in the final seed of the day and upon putting in the final shot for Dawson-Boyd, she was quickly welcomed by the team on the green as the Blackjacks shared hugs and smiles.

The group took pictures following the award ceremony, treasuring one of their final moments together of the season with their first-place trophy making its rounds amongst the girls.

MCC continuing to make memories

Photo by Samantha Davis: Murray County Central's Rachael Huso chips a shot at the second day of the Class A State Tournament on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

This year’s state tournament was also a memorable one for Murray County Central, which was also competing at state for the third-straight season after reclaiming its title as the Section 3A champion.

The Rebels put together a strong performance and placed fourth as a team out of the eight competing teams, scoring a 732. MCC also took fourth place last year and eighth in 2024.

“It felt really nice. I just love being here, and the course is really familiar now that we have been here so much,” MCC senior Lizzie Daniels said. “It’s just so amazing to be here, and all of the girls are amazing.”

Notably, senior Rachael Huso left her mark in her final tournament as a Rebel. Although she missed earning a medal by one stroke, as the top eight individuals medal, she shot a 162 to take ninth place.

Huso sat in second place after the opening day of the tournament after she carded a 75 with one birdie and an eagle on hole 8. She also shot another birdie and carded an 87 on day 2.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Murray County Central's Lizzie Daniels putts at the second day of the Class A State Tournament on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Following the first day on Tuesday, Huso mentioned that she was proud of herself for her performance, noting it was the best she had done at state.

The Rebels were led by a strong group of seniors this season — Elysia Korver, Daniels and Huso.

“This team has always been my favorite part of school,” Daniels said. “It’s just amazing, and I’m really sad that it’s over, and the girls we have to leave, too. They are [still] going to do amazing without us.”

Sophomore Natalie Einck finished in 27th with a 177, as did Korver with a 196 to place 49th. Daniels scored a 197, while Brielle Plotz and Emersyn Meyer followed with a 209 and 231, respectively.

“I think it just shows that we work hard, and that we really love the sport,” Daniels said in regard to how MCC continues to achieve postseason success. “We want it, so we go get it.”

Around the area

There were also a handful of area individuals who earned qualifications to compete at the state tournament.

Canby sophomore Maddison Richter also shot a 172 to tie for 20th with Swedzinski. Richter carded an 83 on the first day and an 89 on Wednesday.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton senior Teigyn O’Leary also finished her prep career with another successful state trip. She finished with a score of 173 to place 24th with a total of five birdies, four of which came on day 1.

Jorga Brown of Red Rock Central placed 37th with a 184, and Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Taylor Munson shot a 194 to come in 46th.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd's Kylar Hjelmeland chips a shot at the second day of the Class A State Tournament on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd head coach Cory Larson shares a hug with each of the Blackjack golfers after winning the Class A State Championship on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Photo by Samantha Davis: The Dawson-Boyd girls golf team share a group hug after winning the Class A State Championship on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

Photo by Samantha Davis: The Dawson-Boyd girls golf team stands with their Class A State Championship trophy on Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.