Tolton's Rischer wins state, Rock Bridge's Baumstark finishes second
After a breakout sophomore season put her on the map, Father Tolton golfer Audrey Rischer's junior year brought her to new heights.
Rischer claimed the Class 3 individual state title Tuesday at the Columbia Country Club with a score of 154 over the two-day tournament, as she led the Trailblazers to a third-place finish in the team standings.
Rischer wasn't the only Columbia player to finish in the top three at state.
Rock Bridge senior Tierney Baumstark finished in a three-way tie for second in the Class 4 meet, leading Columbia Public Schools.
On the first day of play, Rischer shot a 77, which was two strokes behind Mehlville's Evangelina Brown. On day two, Rischer stayed consistent and won herself a state title.
She scored a 77 on the second day of action to finish with a 154, while Brown shot an 80 on the second day to finish second with a 155.
Along with fellow Tolton golfer Kate Ryan, who finished tied for 11th overall with a score of 171, the Trailblazers claimed their second third-place finish in program history. Katelyn Ankenman, Catherine Fallis and Savanna Hazelrigg helped Tolton with their own personal finishes tied for 53rd, tied for 56th and 73rd overall, respectively.
It's Tolton's second straight season medaling as a team at state, as the 'Blazers finished third overall in 2021, too. This year's third-place finish caps a successful first season for Scott Priesmeyer as head coach.
While Rischer stayed consistent, Baumstark rallied heavily on the second day of play to earn her second place at state.
Baumstark shot a 79 on the first day of action at the Class 4 championships, which was nine strokes behind day-one leader Maya McVey, who finished with a low score of 70 in the first round. Baumstark rallied with the day-two low score the next day.
Shooting 73 on day two, Baumstark rallied from the sixth-lowest score to tie Springfield Catholic's Lyla Louderbaugh and St. Joseph Academy's Rylie Andrews for second in Class 4.
It's an improvement for Baumstark, who was sixth overall in the state last year. She will play for Missouri State in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Tolton's Rischer wins state, Rock Bridge's Baumstark finishes second
