BRAINERD — Three returners and three open spots leaves Brainerd head coach Karissa Haugen excited for her third season.
“There is a good vibe with the team this year,” Haugen said. “Everyone’s excited to get to work outside. The girls that played last year have taken the leadership role on and taken the younger girls under their wing and are working towards the same goal.”
Captains Meredith Holmstrom and Marcella Timmons lead the charge for the Warriors. Holmstrom, a sophomore, placed 17th at sections last year and Timmons, a senior, 19th. Both have plenty of varsity experience.
Girls Golf
Head coach: Karissa Haugen, third year
2025 finish: Sixth in CLC, five in Section 8-3A
Assistant coach: Sandy McKenzie, Ashley Shore, Michelle King
Captains: Meredith Holmstrom, Marcella Timmons
“I feel like both of them have matured over the summer,” Haugen said. “They know what they want to get out of the season and out of golf. They are being really inclusive. They are pushing everyone in a positive way and taking that leadership role to the next level. It’s been great to see in the first three weeks of practice.”
Timmons comes off a hockey season that saw her dish seven assists in 25 games. In sections last year, Timmons shaved four strokes off her first round score to score 182. Holmstrom was the low Warrior in Day One of sections with an 85. She shot 96 in round two to shoot 181.
Warrior Roster
Seniors: Madeline Angland, Isabella Bollum, AnneMarie Cady, Grace Enge, Annie Foss, Avery Horn, Taylor Manecke, Leah Soukup, Rebekah Soukup, Marcella Timmons
Juniors: Chloe Dalzell, Beatrice Hartwig, Siri Johnson
Sophomores: Clara Bolt, Ruby Fromm, Preslee Glynn, Meredith Holmstrom, Caroline Hopkins, Isabel Kuepers, Julia Watland
Freshmen: Vienna Dean, Penelope Hartwig, Mary McArdell
Freshman Vienna Dean was the fourth best Warrior last season at sections with a 189. She scored a 93 in the first round and a 96 in Day Two. She placed 29th and looks improved after a solid eighth-grade season.
“She’s young and still maturing,” Haugen said. “I think she’s been around the golf course forever and she knows the golf course well. Seeing her take it to the next level this year, I am excited to see how she performs.”
The team will run qualifiers before their first meet Monday, April 13, at Rich-Spring Golf Course. Junior Beatrice Hartwig, sophomore Elsie Haakonson, sophomore Preslee Glynn and sophomore Ruby Fromm will all be in the mix as Haugen sets the lineup.
Warrior Schedule
April 13: at Rich-Spring Golf Course, 3 p.m.
April 15: at St. Cloud – Wapicada Golf Course, 10 a.m.
April 21: at Pokegama Golf Course, 10 a.m.
April 21: at Alexandria Golf Club, 3 p.m.
April 30: at Pebble Lake Golf Course, 9:30 a.m.
May 5: at Detroit Lakes, 3 p.m.
May 7: at Madden’s Resort, 3 p.m.
May 11: at Territory Golf Club, 3 p.m.
May 13: at the Classic at Madden’s, 9 a.m.
May 18: at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course, 3 p.m.
May 19: at Eagle Creek Golf Course, 2 p.m.
“We have a few girls that are going to play a mixture of JV and varsity this year,” Haugen said. “This year, we have varsity spots to compete for, so we are going to have more qualifiers this season and see how everyone processes this season.”
Haakonson finished with seven goals and two assists in hockey this winter.
Brainerd’s Meredith Holmstrom hits the ball in practice Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at The Pines.
Conrad Engstrom / Brainerd Dispatch
In filling the varsity spots, Haugen is looking for players who have been practicing and taking lessons in the summer. She stressed the importance of knowing that spring seasons are short and little improvements matter.
“The ones who have practiced have gotten better,” Haugen said. “To play varsity it is based on your scores. It’s about who is playing best at that moment in time and who is going to be able to compete. Hopefully, we are all competing at a high level towards the end of the season.”
As a team, the Warriors finished fifth at the section meet last year with a 724 two-day score. Alexandria won the section with a 662 two-day score. In the Central Lakes Conference, the Warriors placed sixth.
“I think we are going to be very competitive this year,” Haugen said. “I see us toward the top. It really depends on how the girls perform. We’re eager to get outside and get on green grass. I think we know that we’ll be able to compete with anyone.”
Brainerd’s Ruby Fromm hits the ball in practice Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at The Pines.
Conrad Engstrom / Brainerd Dispatch