Evers returns to help coach her team

Maybe nobody has more invested in the Minneota girls’ golf team than Nicole Evers. Oh, she graduated, you say! True. But some people leave — yet, they keep coming back again.

“We brought Nicole into the coaching ranks. I think that’s a tremendous honor for her,” said Coach Greg Gile. Perhaps nobody would be better suited to help Minneota’s girls squad than Evers.

“I will remember Nicole Evers for the incredible improvement demonstrated from the end of her freshman year to her sophomore year.”

“Her scores on the Marshall golf course during her freshman year were quite high. However, she took golf lessons during the following summer months on a regular basis resulting. By her sophomore year it was her score that got us into the state tournament,” said the coach.

“The next year she broke her ankle. But she didn’t quit.”

The coach added, “Her performance demonstrated the most improvement I have ever seen in such a short span of time.” “Weeks later, Nicole broke her ankle which kept her off the golf course, summer tournaments, and prevented her from realizing a promising volleyball and basketball experience her junior year. Nicole recovered during the golf season and once again her scores helped our girls return to the state golf tournament.” But as Coach Gile said, “Nicole soon experienced another setback with dental surgery and was unable to golf following the state golf tournament or participate in volleyball her senior year. Despite two difficult setbacks, Nicole demonstrated remarkable leadership helping our girl’s golf team enjoy a terrific 2017 golf season.” Through it all she was the, “Principal instructor at Viking golf camp the last three years. I was honored to have her on the golf camp staff,” said Gile.

So it’s that same tenacity the coach figures Evers will bring to this year’s squad. “Nicole’s leadership, experience, character, and involvement with our Viking golf camp made her a perfect candidate to continue her involvement with the Minneota golf team as an assistant coach,” said Coach Gile.

The coach feels the girls, “Will be competitive.” If so, a lot may be due to Evers contributions “over the years,” rubbing off on this year’s squad.

Make no mistake, “Nicole and Heidi Guttormsson are some big shoes to fill,” says the coach. Heidi Guttormsson has her name on every school record (Low nine-hole score, low 18-hole score, most state appearances, lowest finish state tournament, second).

Guttormsson either has been the team medalist or tournament medalist since eighth grade.

“She was a terrific team captain, an outstanding athlete, and spent countless hours on the practice range developing the golfing skills allowing her to record two top 10 finishes (sixth and second) at the state golf tournament.

Her dedication, leadership and hard work had a direct impact on the performance of her teammates.”

But with seniors Brooklynn Downing, Allison Citterman, Natalie Bot, Lauren Knutson and Carolyn Hoffmann all returning with state tournament experience — the cupboard is hardly bare.

And, “We’ve got two eighth graders — Lauren Bowyer and Jeren Rost, who are young, but they are pretty talented for their age.” In the junior high ranks, Bauer and Rost were at the top of their peers.

A year ago, the Minneota girls battled through diversity, had to fight their way to the top, but when the dust cleared, they were on top of Section 5A after two tough days of golfing and they headed for another state golf meet.

At state, the Vikings finished in fifth place. Guttormsson ended in a three-way tie for second place with a two-day total of 160.

Minneota’s other golfers were: Lauren Knutson 197; Brooklynn Downing 196; Nicole Evers 205; Carolyn Hoffmann 207 and Allison Citterman 212. With all that experience behind them, it’s probably hasty not to count the Vikings as a contender to return to the state once again this year.

Downing has three state golf tournaments appearances and three all conference selections. Senior Allison Citterman (One state golf appearance); senior Carolyn Hoffmann (two state golf appearances, one all conference selection); senior Laura Knutson (One state golf appearance, one all-conference selection, sophomore Natalie Bot (returning letter winner).