FARGO -- Composure was the key for Grand Forks Red River senior golfer JoDee Wheeler on Tuesday.
Things went bad for awhile. Wheeler stayed focused.
Game over.
Despite a few minor hiccups on the front nine, Wheeler carded the top score for the second-consecutive day to capture the North Dakota Class A girls golf title at Edgewood Golf Course. Fargo Davies earned the first team title in program history with a total of 651. Red River was a distant second at 683.
"I was more nervous today than I was yesterday," said Wheeler, whose 77 on Tuesday was matched only by Davies sophomore Kathleen Marsh. "I was the one to beat because I had the best score. I knew if I wanted to win I had to play well. It was never guaranteed. They wanted to win. They were coming for me."
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Wheeler, who also won the East Region individual title, entered the day two strokes ahead of Davies junior Allyson Meyer after a first-day 75.
Momentary stumble
Wheeler opened the door for Meyer and the rest of the field with a pair of double-bogeys and a bogey on the final three holes of the front nine.
She made the turn with a 4-over 40.
"I just couldn't find my rhythm," said Wheeler, who finished with a two-day total of 152. "I hit a couple bad shots and couldn't get it back. Once I found my rhythm and the feel for it, it started going good again."
Meyer couldn't capitalize due to struggles of her own on a course beset by swirling winds and autumn leaves.
She finished tied for eighth after shooting 89.
Wheeler double-bogeyed the par-4 No. 10 before she found her groove.
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She carded a birdie on the par-5 13th, before taking par on the final five holes.
Kathleen Marsh made a solid run at Wheeler thanks to a solid round. She was consistent throughout off the tee and with the putter.
"It was good," said Marsh, whose two-day total of 159 came in second in the individual race. "I had a birdie and I made a lot of putts. It was a good day. I knew it would be tough to win. I thought I had chance for second. I just decided to work hard. I thought I would stay relaxed, focus and take it shot-by-shot."
Stout Davis team
Davies had another strong day as a team to win the team crown.
Jennifer Marsh finished with 80, Madison Gemar had an 81, Alex Woken carded an 89 and Bailey Gemar chipped in a round of 100.
The Eagles lose Madison Gemar to graduation, but this year's strong showing could position them as favorites again next season.
"We presented a balanced attack," Davies coach Heather Yarber said. "It went really well. We have a solid bunch of girls and I'm proud of them for winning. It's nice to have the second title in Davies school history (cross country in 2010). It's exciting."
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Ashley Bixby of West Fargo finished third after a 78 on Tuesday gave her a two-day total of 160.
Wheeler was named senior athlete of the year. Fargo North's Jolene Schue was named coach of the year.
"The biggest thing today was being able to find my composure after having a couple of bad holes, and not letting my whole back nine go downhill," Wheeler said. "It feels good. This is what you work for. This is what I put my time into. I'm excited."
