Liberty’s Chloe Haakenson is aiming to play in her fourth state golf tournament as just a junior
COLORADO SPRINGS – Liberty’s Chloe Haakenson got her first taste of playing in a Colorado girls golf state tournament last year, but it was far from her first time competing for a state title.
As a transplant from North Dakota, she qualified individually for the North Dakota state tournament as a freshman. And she had even made the state tournament with the team when she was competing as an eighth grader.
In North Dakota, all athletes from grades 7 through 12 are eligible for varsity athletics so she was able to join her high school team while she was taking middle school classes.
Her outing at City Park last spring was less than ideal, but it was a crucial learning experience for her. She used it as a benchmark to set some goals for 2022 and although the season is early, she feels like she’s making progress.
“I really need to focus on staying positive and relaxing,” she said. “Usually I’m too tight before I hit which can affect my swing and make things more difficult later.”
The other thing about progress is that experience always helps. The thought of a middle schooler playing in a state tournament in Colorado seems like a daunting possibility. But her experience in North Dakota for two years was vital to the success that she’s trying to find in Colorado.
She shot a 24-over-par 96 and finished tied for 14th in the Lancers’ first tournament of the year, the Fountain-Fort Carson Invite at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course. She followed it up with a second-place finish at the TCA Invite at Cherokee Ridge where she shot 97.
Her improvement through the course of the year will be vital as she looks to qualify for the fourth state championship tournament of her career, a funny thought when considering she’s only a junior.
“It’s really interesting because a lot of people don’t have that experience,” she said. “It will certainly look good for colleges when it comes to golf as well.
The Lancers wouldn’t mind getting more than just her state, however. The four competitors are all juniors and can certainly move their way around the course a little bit. Jessie Chase kept pace with Haakenson for much of the day at Cherokee Ridge and ended the day shooting 101.
Alyssa Wilmot and Sydney Ruggles each showed moments of solid play and just need a little more consistency throughout the scorecard.
But this Lancers squad has the signs of a team that can send more than one girl to the Olde Course in Loveland for state.
“I think we’re super close,” coach Joel Babbitt said. “Jessie has come such a long way from last year and her swing is so much better. The other girls just keep climbing. All of our scores got better today.”
For Haakenson, if she qualifies it will be her fourth attempt to win a state golf championship and she isn’t even into her senior season yet. The benefits of a family move from a state that allows that opportunity could help settle some nerves. But overall, it could just be a great story to tell friends and family down the road, especially if she qualifies next year.
Five state tournaments in a four-year high school career. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.
