The hopes were high going into the first invitational of the year September 12-13 at Bemidji State after the Winona State Men’s Golf team took first at the home regional preview last week.

For the Women’s team, this invite marked the beginning of the 2022 season after being ranked fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches’ poll.

Senior Toni Baldwin from Elk River, MN on the Women’s team prepared herself well for the season leaving her at a good spot to start.

“Preparing for the season is practicing all summer, playing in tournaments, and spending time working on my game is how I prepare,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin will be playing one more season after the current one and hopes to be a leader for the team and be someone the girls feel they could look up to or go to if they need anything.

Having that connection helps build the team dynamic in such an individual sport

“It’s really tough like in regards to that individual stuff.” Senior Bailey Callander said. “That takes up a lot.”

When in Bemidji, Winona State University women’s golf team had earned runner-up finish at the Tracy Lane Memorial. Three of those Warriors; Carly Moon, Kessa Mara, and Ellie Behring had finished inside the top ten.

While the men’s gold tied for third at the Bemidji State Invitational, finishing with a two-round total of 589. Alessandro Trenta, a first year at Winona from Switzeerland, carded rounds of 70 (-1) and 76 (+5) to finish the tournament. Trenta was also named golfer of the week for his other good plays during the different appearances at tournaments.

Trena and the rest of the team will next be showcased in Oklahoma at the Northeastern State University Invite on Sep. 19 and 20 while the Women’s is at Drury State for the Lady Panther Invite in Missouri on the same days.