BECKER — It was another key step forward for the Dawson-Boyd girls golf team Tuesday.
Dawson-Boyd is in the driver’s seat as it seeks its third straight Class A state championship.
The Blackjacks, back-to-back state champions, have a 21-stroke lead at Pebble Creek Golf Club.
DB sophomore Kylar Hjelmeland reads a putt on the No. 4 green in Round 1 of the Class A state tournament on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
Dawson-Boyd collected 329 strokes and is ahead of Heritage Christian Academy’s 350, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River’s 356 and Murray County Central’s 358 after Round 1.
“The goal after day one is to put yourself in a good spot, and as a team, we definitely did that,” Kylar Hjelmeland said. “You never get too comfortable, but it’s nice knowing we have a lead.”
DB junior Laura Schreier hits an iron shot from the No. 5 fairway in Round 1 of the Class A state tournament on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
Hjelmeland played a key role in the reason why the Blackjacks have the lead that they do.
The sophomore carded an eight-over-par 80 and is sharing sixth place with senior teammate Alyssa Swedzinski and Pine River-Backus sophomore Lyric Aulie.
DB sophomore Claire Stratmoen chips the ball onto the No. 9 green in Round 1 of the Class A state tournament on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
Heritage Christian Academy sophomore Aly Bormes shot a one-over 73 to pace the field.
She narrowly holds an edge over Murray County Central senior Rachael Huso’s 75 and Fertile-Beltrami sophomore Macy Petry’s 76. Bormes’ round featured four birdies.
“It’s been a good day,” Hjelmeland said. “The atmosphere is always super fun.”
Swedzinski played to an even-par through nine holes. Her eight-over back nine featured a double bogey and a quadruple bogey before she finished with her first bridie on No. 18.
“Obviously, getting a seven and a nine on two holes isn’t the best feeling, but coming back with the birdie on the last hole gives you an extra boost of confidence going into the next round.”
Round 2 of the Class A state championship resumes at noon Wednesday.
A state title would be Dawson-Boyd’s third in as many state appearances in school history.
“It would be amazing because everyone in our community is rooting for us to win for the third time,” Claire Stratmoen said. “It would just feel very special if we all won again.”
Stratmoen has elevated her play to help the Blackjacks get to this point. So has Laura Schreier.
Dawson-Boyd surely needed them after they graduated star golfer Lindsey Lund last season.
Lund was a two-time Class A state individual champion who wrapped up her freshman year at Winona State University. She is transferring to the University of South Dakota this fall.
Stratmoen recorded a 10-over 82 and is in 13th place with Canby sophomore Maddison Richter and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton senior Teigyn O’Leary. The sophomore birdied two holes.
Schreier is a junior who had an 87 and is tied for 26th with Sleepy Eye United senior Sam Price.
“We’re all really good friends, so it’s even more fun,” said Stratmoen, who plays with her younger sister, Chloe. She is a seventh-grader. “We put ourselves in a good position.”
Team scoring (Round 1 of 2)
(1) Dawson-Boyd 329 … (2) Heritage Christian Academy 350 … (3) Badger-Greenbush-Middle River 356 … (4) Murray County Central 358 … (5) Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 370 … (6) West Central Area 372 … (7) Springfield 382 … (8) Rushford-Peterson 395
TOP FIVE — (1) Aly Bormes, Heritage Christian Academy, 73 … (2) Rachael Huso, Murray County Central, 75 … (3) Macy Petry, Fertile-Beltrami, 76 … (T4) Addison McCabe, Lanesboro, 79 … (T4) Miley Dewey, West Central Area, 79
CCS — (T17) Hope Reid 84 … (T28) Annellise Larkins 88
DB — (T6) Kylar Hjelmeland 80 … (T6) Alyssa Swedzinski 80 … (T13) Claire Stratmoen 82 … (T26) Laura Schreier 87 … (71) Chloe Stratmoen 107 … (T78) Myiah Bothun 116
LQPV — (T9) Molly Halvorson 81 … (T30) Peyton Sachs 89 … (T36) Kate Ulstad 92
Michael Lyne joined the West Central Tribune as a sports reporter in May 2022, following his graduation from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he graduated with a bachelors degree in journalism and a minor degree in Spanish studies.
You may reach Michael at mlyne@wctrib.com, or by calling (320) 214-4345.