STC senior Aubrey Dolezal displays her state qualifying medal and ticket following the regional meet in Oskaloosa. PHOTO PROVIDED

OSKALOOSA — For the first time in six years, the STC girls golf team has an athlete heading to the Class 3A state golf meet. Trojan senior Aubrey Dolezal qualified when she shot an 86 and came in fifth place at the regional meet in Oskaloosa on Wednesday, May 21. At regional meets, individuals with the top six scores automatically qualify for the state meet.

Trojan head coach Deanna Zmolek, who is in her ninth year in the position, went into the regional meet at Edmundson Golf Course with confidence.

“Going in we knew Aubrey had a good shot at making the top six. She was paired with some of the best players in the state, so I knew she would rise to the competition,” Zmolek said.

Dolezal started the meet off strong. On the second hole she scored an eagle when she chipped in from about 65 yards. At the conclusion of the front nine, Dolezal sat in second place overall. As Zmolek followed the live scoring during the round, she felt good about Dolezal’s finish.

“I knew going into the last few holes that she should place fifth. She was ahead of sixth place by five strokes,” she said.

STC head girls golf coach Deanna Zmolek and Aubrey Dolezal celebrate Dolezal's state qualification. PHOTO PROVIDED

Looking back, Dolezal spoke about her mindset going into the day.

“I knew before our regional meet that if I played my best, I would be able to qualify. After the first nine, I just kept playing confident and doing what I have been all year. I was very excited to be able to qualify for state,” she said.

As a team, STC finished regionals with a score of 403 to place them in fifth out of 12 total teams in Oskaloosa. For the team as a whole, it was the end of another successful season. Zmolek, who herself was a part of the 1998 state champion girls golf team for STC, reflected on the season.

“The girls came to play this year. Everyone improved their average 9-hole score and our team average is almost 15 strokes better than last year,” she said. “The girls pushed each other to get better and they got excited for each other when they had a good round.”

For Dolezal, qualifying for state was the culmination of a career that saw a near-miss last season. As a junior, she was six strokes away going to the state meet. Heading into her final season this year, Dolezal had a clear goal in mind.

The STC girls golf team gathers following their regional meet in Oskaloosa on May 21. Pictured are (L to R): senior Claire Kearney, junior Jamy Dolash, junior Ella Kopsa, senior Aubrey Dolezal, head coach Deanna Zmolek, sophomore Taylor Dolezal, and senior Madison Hitchcock. PHOTO PROVIDED

“I knew I wanted to qualify for state from the start of this season. I felt like I accomplished a lot this year and got better with each meet,” she said.

Over the course of the season, Dolezal medaled in nine different meets and set a new personal scoring record five different times. For her success, she credits her family.

“My dad takes me to play practice rounds before almost every meet, and my mom comes to watch every meet,” she said.

As Dolezal heads to state, she is the first Trojan to do so since Madison Rohach qualified in 2019. Ironically, Rohach also qualified coming out of the regional meet held in Oskaloosa that season.

Dolezal will be traveling to the Saddleback Ridge Golf Course in Solon to compete among Class 3A’s best golfers. It is a course Dolezal is familiar with, having played practice rounds and meets there before. When asked about her goals for state, Dolezal stated that she hopes to execute her game.

“I want to play well throughout the whole day, make smart decisions, and I am hoping that my short game is consistent,” she said. “Having played there before, I have a good idea on what I need to do each hole — I just need to execute.”

Dolezal teed off at the state meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 29. The competition goes through Friday, May 30.

With Dolezal (who also happens to be Zmolek’s niece) heading into her final meet as a Trojan, her proud head coach and aunt reflected on her career.

“Aubrey grew up playing golf and has put her time in. Everybody goes to practice — but it is outside of practice where kids need to put the time in to be successful,” Zmolek said. “Aubrey did that.”