The Dexter girls’ golf team headed to The Meadows at Grand Valley State University last week with one goal – to win it all. The Dreadnaughts dominated their Regional and were among the favorites heading into the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals.
Dexter shot a first-round score of 348 and trailed leader Farmington Hills Mercy by 14 strokes at the end of Friday.
“We were sitting in third place after the first round, and we talked as a team and knew we could make up 14 strokes on Day 2 of play,” said Dexter Coach Greg Palkowski. “We cut it down to nine strokes with nine holes to play on Saturday and closed to within a couple of strokes with a few holes remaining before finishing five strokes back in the end.”
Dexter fired a tournament best second-round score of 334 – 14 strokes better than day one. But Mercy had a solid round, following up its 334 with a 343 to finish with 677. Dexter carded a 682 to take second place overall while Lowell finished third with a 688.
“The team put forth a valiant effort and gave it everything they had on Saturday, leaving nothing in the bag,” said Palkowski. “They battled through adversity on both days, they showed resilience, they stayed focused, they played with passion and they played with heart. I am very proud of this team and the effort they gave all season long; especially in the State Finals.”
It was their dedication to their golf game, their hard work, the countless hours of practice and willingness to succeed that all showed up on the scorecard for the 2024 Dreadnaughts.
“It all paid off in the end,” said Palkowski. “This team is very close and their friendships on and off the course are extremely nice to see. The overall season was a great success.”
And speaking of great successes, Dexter’s Avery Manning claimed the medalist honor with a 1-under-par 141. She finished ahead of Spring Lake’s Zoe Dull, who shot a 146. Only a junior, Manning fired a 3-under-par 69 on Friday and followed with an even-par 72. She placed runner-up at last year’s Final.
“This weekend was pretty incredible,” she said. “I played some really good golf and was able to maintain everything for two days. I was even more impressed with myself playing with a sprained finger and not letting anything get in my way. Winning felt extremely special from being runner up last year I knew I had to come out better and on top.”
Manning led by four strokes after the opening round.
“I told myself that if I maintained where I was then everything would work out, and it did,” Manning said. “My short game, especially my putting, and my approach shots were key for me.”
Dexter’s Millie Triesdell fired a 174 for the tournament. The junior carded a 92 on day one and then dropped 10 strokes for an 82 in the second round. Freshman Maddy Manning shot a 90 on day one and an 85 on day two for a 175.
Two seniors also went out with strong performances in their final times teeing it up for the Dreadnaughts. Eleni Michos went 97-95 for a 192 and Sophia Dettling carded a 97-100 for a 197.
Dexter’s three Finals championships were between 2004-2007, and the Dreadnaughts were coming off a seventh-place finish from last season.
The Dreadnaughts reached No. 1 in the Sept. 30 Division 2 rankings and then won their Regional at Coldwater Golf Course by 12 strokes.
Dexter, which entered the final round in third place and 14 strokes back, posted its best finish since winning back-to-back Finals titles in the spring and fall of 2007.
