You cannot write the history of WIAA girls golf without Prescott, and the history book is adding another chapter this year, as the team won the Stevens Point Sectional to make a triumphant return to State.

The team won four consecutive Division 2 State titles before being bumped up to Division 1. In Division 1, the Cardinals placed runner-up during their first season in 2024. Prescott missed out on State a year ago, but they are ready to get their revenge on the course Oct. 12-13.

“It’s really special. A lot of teams work very hard and they don’t get as far. It’s very exciting to see that all of our hard work that we put in over the season is finally paying off, and we get to do this exciting thing. It’s very meaningful. I’ll remember this forever,” junior Avery Braun said.

“It’s cool to know that you’re making history and being a part of such a cool and exciting program.” Braun added. “I’ve watched throughout high school, from my freshman year, everybody going to State and just seeing how good of an experience it is and how much you learn from it. It’s very rewarding,”

Joining Prescott will be Ellsworth junior Aubrey Marks, who tied for third in the Division 2 Unity Sectional with an 86 to qualify individually. Marks’ sister Lexi qualified for State individually a year ago before graduating in the spring, and now it’s Aubrey’s time to shine.

Prescott won the Stevens Point Sectional with a 347, 14 strokes ahead of second place Hudson. The Cardinal senior trio of Layla Salay, Macy Reiter and Lily Vesperman have been leaders both on and off the course all season long. Reiter was Middle Border Conference Golfer of the Year, Salay was runner-up and Vesperman was second team all-conference. Those three each finished in the top 10 at Sectionals. Rounding out the lineup, Braun and freshman Claire Salay have stepped in and stepped up.

“The diversity in our personalities. We’re all different ages, so that definitely brings a different outlook. My little sister is a freshman, and we’re showing her leadership,” Layla Salay said. “It definitely helps because we all grew up together and we’ve all played this sport together our whole lives.”

Having those seniors is a gamechanger for Prescott. The squad has leaders that were around for a couple of trips to State and have competed on the big stages many times. They are leaders that have been a huge piece to the team winning seven consecutive Middle Border Conference championships.

“I’m really excited and I’m really scared, but I think it will be really fun and it’s a big opportunity,” Claire Salay said. “It’s really scary because I’ve watched them for so many years, but again, I’m really excited and happy to be a part of it.”

Claire Salay said the Cardinals need to stay confident and have fun in order to be their best. Braun said they are a team full of best friends, so having fun should not be an issue.

“It definitely helps with pressure, but I’m still always pretty nervous to go to State and these big events. Pressure is definitely a good thing, and I don’t want to lose that,” Layla Salay said of returning to State.

Layla Salay competed at State individually a year ago, so she knows as well as anyone what it takes to perform under pressure.

“We need to take it shot by shot, not look at the leaderboard and not think about our end result,” Layla Salay said.