Stronger together: Onalaska’s Balduzzi, Bronston earn trips to State Golf
Onalaska seniors Allison Balduzzi and Kiya Bronston are heading to State Golf as individual qualifiers.
Balduzzi punched her ticket first after posting an 82 at sectionals. Bronston with an 83 had to go into a four-person playoff that lasted two holes. With Balduzzi and a bunch of spectators watching, Bronston says it was definitely the most nervous she’s been on a course.
“On the first playoff hole, I had a putt where if I made it I would’ve won it, but I ended up missing the putt, so we had to go into a second,” Bronston said. But Kiya would par that second hole to clinch her spot.
Both athletes have lived near the top of the MVC leaderboards this season, but it’s been an emotionally difficult season for Balduzzi. As she approaches her final high school golf event, she is thinking of one person in particular–her dad, who passed away at home almost a month ago.
“With my dad passing, it’s gotten me to keep going, try to do my hardest, and play for him.”
Bronston will begin Day 1 of State Monday at 8:00 a.m. with the first group. Balduzzi is with the third group at 8:20.
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