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Ferrell, Milton aim for state titles

Brooke Ferrell is taking a healthy approach to her fourth and last appearance in the WIAA Division 2 state girls golf tournament Monday and Tuesday at Madison’s Cherokee Country Club.

The Edgerton High senior played last year’s D-2 state meet at University Ridge with a painful wrist injury en route to a third-place finish (79-77), 14 strokes behind three-time champion Casey Danielson.

Ferrell and Danielson share a 9:44 a.m. Monday tee time that should draw plenty of attention.

“They’ve never played together at the high school level,” said Edgerton coach Steve Zartman.

Ferrell’s wrist has improved, and she is set to challenge arguably the best girls high school golfer in state history.

“The wrist is better, and I can truly compete,” Ferrell said.

Danielson and her older sister, Lindsey, have combined to win the last seven state championships.

“I know Casey is going to be there,” Ferrell said. “She is a great player and she is not going to give any shots away and give up on a hole, but I’m going to focus on me and execute my game plan.’’

“Brooke has to go out and put up the best number she can,” Zartman said. “It’s golf, and Casey (Danielson) is human. Brooke is playing exceptional golf now.’’

Ferrell won the Wisconsin Dells Sectional at Trapper’s Turn carding a 1-under 71. Ferrell’s teammates finished second to perennial powerhouse Madison Edgewood to qualify for state for the first time with Ferrell.

“I’m excited we qualified as a team,” Ferrell said. “I’m happy for us all.’’

Joining Ferrell are teammates Lauren Splitter, Shelby Weger, Erica Richardson and Cianna Kruckenberg.

“There is no better feeling than to punch your ticket to the big dance,” Zartman said. “We didn’t talk much about making state but we knew it was possible.”

The state meet was switched to Cherokee because University Ridge began a course-remodeling project last August.

“Cherokee reminds me a lot of Trapper’s Turn,” Ferrell said. “You have to hit hybrids and fairway woods off the tee.’’

Ferrell carded a 2-over 73 to win the Madison Metro tournament at Cherokee in early September. Ferrell has averaged 73.3 through nine 18-hole tournaments.

“It was one of the best rounds I’ve played this year,” said Ferrell, who admitted she struggled with putting. “(Cherokee) is not one of those courses where I can hit my driver as hard as I want to. You have to keep it in play, and I’ll have to keep myself under control.’’

Milton has title hopes

Milton High, the Badger Sectional champion that is making its third straight Division 1 state tournament appearance, looks to make the big step from last year’s runner-up to state champion.

Milton begins the tournament Monday on the back nine with senior Courtney Terrill teeing off at 9:20 a.m.

Senior Laura Stair and sophomore Maddie McCue each shot 79 to help the Red Hawks gain a three-shot sectional victory over Kettle Moraine.

Milton finished 25 shots behind Mequon Homestead in the 2011 state meet. Stephanie Stair, Laura’s twin sister, finished with a 153 (77-76) to pace Milton at University Ridge.

Winning it all is the natural goal for the Red Hawks, but coach Andrea Wieland doesn’t want the team to get too caught up in thinking state championship.

“It seems the more pressure we put on to try to win the worse we play,” Wieland said. “I want the team to go out and take some swings and see what happens.’’

Milton has the advantage of experience with the Stair sisters playing in their third straight state tournament. McCue and Terrill return from last season’s meet, while Chey Ann Knudsen is a freshman.

Wieland is counting on the Red Hawks to play to their potential.

“If we all play together at the right time, then we have a good chance,” Wieland said.

Parker’s Wyss hits state

Janesville Parker junior Taylor Wyss is the first Viking to play as an individual state qualifier. Wyss goes off on the first tee at 8:16 a.m., Monday.

Wyss carded a 78, a career low round, to finish third overall at the Badger Sectional.

Parker coach Mary Ross said the Vikings’ team captain has polished her game.

“Taylor has worked hard,” Ross said. “She played a lot of junior tournaments this summer and that helped her get over jitters playing in big tournaments.’’