MADISON — Ellsworth senior Lexi Marks and Prescott junior Layla Salay closed out the girls golf season, each finishing in the top half of their respective divisions at the State Championship last week at University Ridge in Madison.

Marks has made State individually three years in a row now. She scored an 87 on the opening day to sit in 13th of 39 golfers. On day two Marks posted an 88 for a total of 175, good for 15th overall in Division 2.

Salay has been a key piece to Prescott’s State title and runner-up teams from the previous two years. This year, Prescott did not qualify as a team, but Salay made it to the main stage. She scored an 82 in round one and an 87 in round two to finish 31st of 75 in Division 1.

For Marks, the four years have been nothing short of spectacular, and it meant the world to end it with another State experience in a year where Ellsworth won a Regional title.

“This season has kind of been a rollercoaster for the team and myself. We’ve had times where we were close to beating Prescott and we’ve had times where St. Croix Central beat us,” Marks said.

Ellsworth Head Coach Carson Huppert said Marks can strike the ball as well as anyone, so when she is on her game she is tough to beat.

Looking back, the wins and great events have meant a lot, yet the van rides with the team are what has meant the most.

“It’s been good experiences for sure. I was just happy to get to go one more time. To be able to go three times was just really fun, bonding with the team because they came down with me [to State],” Marks said.

The four years with EHS Girls Golf have been special for Marks.

“It’s been more than just golf. It’s brought me relationships with coaches and players, and just been fun to do,” Marks said. “It’s been more than a sport and a game.”

Marks’ advice to those that want to become great golfers was to keep a strong mentality. That mentality is exactly what landed her on the All-Conference First Team along with Salay.
“Keep their head up even if there’s some rough times,” Marks said. “Golf is a hard sport. Sometimes you’ll be really good and other days you’ll have some struggles.”

Marks picked up an individual win at a conference meet and Salay had two wins of her own on the year. The two have become student athletes everyone in the programs can look up to.