Alpena Sends Pair of Golfers to State Finals for the First Time in School History
ALPENA, MI – The Alpena girls golf pair of Grace Bouchard and Jami Richards are already making school history. For the first time ever, the Wildcats are sending two players to compete at the MHSAA State Finals. WBKB Sports visited the Alpena Golf Club to see how the duo is preparing for their individual appearances.
The Wildcats girls golf program is familiar with sending a player to the State Finals. Yet, this season is different as the team is getting ready to travel with two girls who are ready to compete. Head Coach Tate Skiba believes his pair is all set to go. “I hope that it’s a positive experience where the pressure is kind of off,” he said. “These girls can just go out and show off what they can do.”
Bouchard has certainly made a name for herself this year. The freshman placed second in the Big North Conference tournament with an 83. Additionally, Bouchard finished the regular season with All-Conference honors and third place overall in the conference. “I was happy I made it to States,” she said. “That was a thing in itself.”
On the other hand, Richards recently shot a personal-low 93 at the BNC tournament. The sophomore is aiming to keep her mindset positive before her first State Finals performance. “It’s a great opportunity as a sophomore to get that far,” she said. “Just to enjoy the whole thing no matter how I do.”
The two can already check off accomplishing Wildcats athletics history. Bouchard and Richards head to East Lansing for State Finals on October 20 and 21.
