Joe Drennan
Sports editor

Krista Swanson spent six years as the top Forest Lake High School girls golf player and was looking forward to being a role player on a golf team when she went to the University of Montana last year as a freshman. A first round course record let her know she would again be a top golfer on her new team.

ìItís not all about hitting balls anymore,î Swansonís FLHS coach Bill Loushine said. ìItís the little things like her short game and knock-down shots that she is really focusing on.î

Swanson had a successful freshman season, but she had an even better sophomore season this year. Swanson earned Big Sky golfer of the week twice after a third place finish at the Bobcat Desert Classic and a first place finish at the Richmond Spider Spring Invitational.

At the Bobcat Desert Classic she shot a 78-69-74 for a final score of 221. The second round score of 69 tied a school record for a single round low score that was set in 1998.

At the Richmond Spider Spring Invitational Swanson shot a 77-75 for a two round total of 152.

Swansonís play which averaged 78.6 strokes per round earned her a second team Big Sky All-Conference nomination.

ìI have caddied for Krista in two State Amateur golf tournaments and I am amazed at what a good, consistent ball striker she is,î Loushine said. ìShe knows the distance she hits each club, and I mean within two to three yards, not 10-15 yard increments like most golfers.î

The University of Montana team didnít do all that bad either this season as they finished second in the Big Sky Tournament in Goodyear, AZ April 17-20. The University of Montana finished with a team score of 918 behind Portland State who had a team score of 905.

Swanson again shined as she finished second individually with a 75-77-72 for a three round total of 224. Cophia Choi of Northern Arizona University took first with a 71-71-77 for a three round score of 219.

ìShe is not the same golfer now as she was in high school,î Loushine said. ìShe has moved forward by leaps and bounds. Itís like going from 8th grade to 12th grade, itís just a huge change and she is still improving and learning about the game and her abilities. Who knows where her limit is, she hasnít plateaued yet.î

Swanson is the daughter of David and Jean Swanson, and she is majoring in Elementary Education.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605