Marquette’s Colleen O’Donnell drives the ball from the tee at Wawonowin Country Club in Champion during the Negaunee Range Bank Invitational on Tuesday afternoon. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)

“We’ve had such a quick season, so it’s been tough.” — Ben Smith, Marquette golf coach, on the unspring-like conditions this season

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CHAMPION — After a sunny and warm Monday afternoon, the temperature dropped quite a bit on Tuesday in Marquette County, leading to some chilly conditions at the western highlands of the Wawonowin Golf Club.

But the cool wind didn’t seem to bother Gladstone as both the Braves’ boys and girls teams ended up on top at the Negaunee Range Bank Invitational. The boys finished with 330 in the six-team competition, while the girls had 437 to win a four-team meet.

“The boys played some good golf today on a tough course,” Gladstone head coach Dane Quigley said. “It can be challenging, but they did a good job.

“I’m also really proud of the girls. They’ve had some tough competition this year, but they keep grinding. I think this win will be good for their confidence.”

Marquette finished in second, 14 strokes back at 344, and head coach Ben Smith said his team has made progress considering that the Redmen got a late start to the season thanks to the lingering snow.

“We’ve had such a quick season, so it’s been tough,” Smith said. “We keep grinding, though, and keep moving forward each time out.”

Negaunee’s Jordan Mason was boys medalist after shooting 77 with the Braves’ Rudy Peterson taking second a stroke back at 78 and Marquette’s Tyler Bergwall finishing third with 79. Gladstone’s Jordan Algren and Norway’s Trevor Anderson rounded out the top five.

Miners head coach Dustin Hongisto liked how Mason played and said he’s just glad that his team has been able to get on the course.

“Today was a good bounce-back for Jordan after our first meet,” he said. “I think we’re still trying to shake the rust off.”

In the girls meet, Negaunee took second place with 502 as Marquette’s Morgan Rhoades was medalist with 100.

Smith liked how Rhoades has been playing as a freshman and she keeps making progress on the course.

“Morgan played well and she’s had a really solid spring,” he said. “With each time out, she gets more confident and it’s nice to see that in her first year.”

Norway’s Danae Anderson took second, while Gladstone’s Megan Lukezich, Sophia Lippens and Anna Scheeneman were third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.