BRAINERD — All but one player returns from Brainerd’s runner-up Section 8-3A squad from last year.
Granted, that one player is Sophia Karsnia, who won the section individual title. Still, the five returning players hope to improve the Warriors’ postseason success.
“We have some great competitors coming back,” Brainerd head coach Karissa Haugen said. “The girls are super excited. We have some great depth between the varsity and junior varsity. The last two spots on varsity, we’ll have kind of rotating a little bit between junior varsity and varsity players. We’ll have a little bit of competition within our team. I feel like that’s a good thing for people who are competing for varsity time.”
Freshman Meredith Holmstrom is the top returning player from the section tournament. The freshman placed 16th with a two-day 177. She fired rounds of 85 and 92. She was Brainerd’s No. 3 finisher in the two-day Central Lakes Conference Tournament with a two-round 179. She posted rounds of 93 and 86.
Libby Lake, left, works with Braienrd head coach Karissa Haugen during golf practice on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Madden’s Resort.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“Meredith is great and has a level head,” Haugen said. “She has a positive attitude. She’s a go-getter. She doesn’t let the nerves get to her too much. She is young enough that her varsity experience will help her in the long run.”
Older sister, and team captain, Madelyn Holmstrom earned all-conference honors and was Brainerd’s No. 2 scorer in the championship tournament with a two-day 179. She shot rounds of 86-93. She placed 21st in the section tournament with 90s for a two-day 180.
“Madelyn leads by example,” Haugen said. “She is one of our captains. She’s a quiet leader, but you can tell she’s serious about her golf game. The younger players and the other varsity players hone in on that. She’s able to be serious when it’s needed, but she has a great attitude and can have fun when it’s needed. She’ll be our No. 1 girl as the season brings.”
Madi Holstrom practices her swing during golf practice on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Madden’s Resort.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Kiley Jendro is another senior captain. She placed 28th in the section tournament with a 187. She fired rounds of 91, 96. In the CLC, she was Brainerd’s No. 4 scorer with a two-day 180 thanks to matching 90s. She was an all-conference player during the season.
“Kiley has a positive attitude about her,” Haugen said. “She gets better as the season progresses. She brings the fun to the team. I’m very happy she is back on the squad.”
Senior Karley Dunham placed 39th in the section meet with a 201. She opened with a 103 but shaved five strokes for a second-round 98. In the conference tournament, she fired a 198 with a 95 and a 103.
“Karly is a captain as well and the girls vote on that,” Haugen said. “She’s a great leader, especially in morning workouts. She leads the team vocally and gets everyone involved.”
Karley Dunham practices her swing during golf practice on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Madden’s Resort.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Junior Marcela Timmons earned all-conference honors and fired a 183 during the CLC tournament. She posted rounds of 101 and 108 during the section tournament to place 45th.
“I feel like she’s a senior, but she’s only a junior,” Haugen said. “I think this is going to be a breakout year. She has a positive attitude and is going to be better and better.”
Libby Lake saw varsity action during the regular season and is a senior captain.
“We want to see consistency from Libby,” Haugen said. “We haven’t been outside (as of Tuesday, April 9). Some of the girls have gone out by themselves, but for practice, we’ve been using the golf simulator. I’m excited to see what she can do. She was on that border last year between junior varsity and varsity. She’s a great leader and the younger girls really like her.”
Libby Lake shows off her swing during the Brainerd Warriors golf practice on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Madden’s Resort.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Other players looking to grab varsity time in the early season include sophomore Beatrice Hartwig and first-year senior Breanna Johnson.
“Beatrice went to a couple of our varsity meets last year just to get experience,” Haugen said. “We’re just trying to get some holes in right now as the courses begin to open for the season. She’s going to be someone to look forward to in the years to come and we’ll look to get her some more varsity experience.
“Breanna, I’m excited to see what she can do for varsity and junior varsity. She’s just a hard worker. You can tell she’s an athlete and has a really good attitude.”
The excitement level is high. So much so, the Warrior players are encouraging spectators to their two home events. Brainerd will host its Central Lakes Conference event 3 p.m. May 1 at Madden’s Pine Beach East and will host its Invite 9 a.m. May 14 at The Classic at Madden’s.
With a roster that’s almost doubled from last year, the team’s confidence level is soaring.
“That’s awesome,” Haugen said. “(Assistant), coach (Jean) Martin and I both love to have a lot of fun. After our first practice, because we have 35 girls out this year, I called coach Martin and said, ‘The word is out that girls’ golf is super fun.’”
Meredith Holmstrom putts the ball during golf practice on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Madden’s Resort.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Fun and competitive. Haugen believes that by the end of the season, the Warriors will have a lineup to compete.
“We’ve got a good squad,” Haugen said. “A lot of other teams lost their No. 1 as well, who competed against Sophia, so with our crew between varsity and junior varsity, we’ve got some good competition. I’m excited to see the girls push each other to get to that next level. I do think we have a state-caliber team this year if we can just connect on the right days. Everything is leading up to the section tournament.”
Captains Libby Lake, left, Karley Dunham, Madie Holmstrom and Kiley Jendro pose for a photo during golf practice on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Madden’s Resort.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at 218-855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop
.
Karissa Haugen
Kelly Humphrey
Head coach: Karissa Haugen, 2nd year
2024 finish: Third in CLC, second in Section 8-3A
Returning section players: Meredith Holmstrom, Madelyn Holmstrom, Kiley Jendro, Karley Dunham, Marcella Timmons
Assistant coaches: Jean Martin, Michelle King, Ashley Shore
Captains: Madelyn Holmstrom, Libby Lake, Kiley Jendro, Karley Dunham
Seniors: Madelyn Holmstrom, Libby Lake, Kiley Jendro, Kaya Anderson, Kate Boberg, Karley Dunham, Emelia Cosert, Breanne Johnson, Audrey Breen
Juniors: Vaida Schmidt, Taylor Manecke, Savannah Mendel, Rebekah Soukap, Marcella Timmons, Madeline Angland, Leah Soukup, Isabella Bollum, Grace Enge, Avery Horn, Annie Foss, AnneMarie Cady
Sophomores: Eva Dircks, Danielle Traxler, Chloe Dalzell, Beatrice Hartwig, Alma Stalph
Freshmen: Ruby Fromm, Preslee Glynn, Meredith Holmstrom, Isabel Kuepers, Inga Auel, Elsie Haakonson, Clara Bolt, Caroline Hopkins
Eighth-graders: Vienna Dean, Penelope Hartwig
Tuesday, April 15, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Wapicada Golf Course, 3 p.m.
April 21, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Detroit County Club, 3 p.m.
April 23, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course, 3 p.m.
April 28, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Territory Golf Club, 3 p.m.
April 30, in Alexandria Invite at Alexandria Golf Club, 10 a.m.
May 1, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Madden’s Resort, 3 p.m.
May 6, in Staples-Motley Invite at Gravel Pit Golf Course TBD
May 6, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Eagle Creek Golf Course, 3 p.m.
May 9, in Presection 8-3A at Headwaters Golf Club, 9 a.m.
May 12, in Central Lakes Conference meet at Rich Spring Golf Course, 3 p.m.
May 14, in Warrior Invite at The Classic at Madden’s, 9 a.m.
May 19, in Day One of Central Lakes Conference Championship at Alexandria Golf Club, 3 p.m.
May 22, in Day Two of Central Lakes Conference Championship at Pebble Lake Golf Course, noon
May 28, in Day One of Section 8-3A Tournament at Headwaters Golf Club, 9 a.m.
May 29, In Day Two of Section 8-3A Tournament at Headwaters Golf Club, 8 a.m.
