DeForest girls golf starts 2026 with strong results

DeForest's girls golf program began the 2026 season with another productive week of competition.

The previous season, DeForest finished third at Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Division 1 team state. It marked the program’s second consecutive appearance at state, following a sixth-place finish the year prior.

This fall, expectations remain just as high for the two-time Badger-Large Champions.

DeForest returns many significant names from the previous season’s roster. Noteworthy names include seniors Abigail Henriksen, Brinley Goninen, Anabelle Stravinski, Addyson Heuer and Brielle Harris, among others. DeForest also welcome in star freshman Aaliyah Crum.

They lost one key senior from last year’s team in Samantha Baldauf.

Early tournament results

While DeForest may primarily be senior-led this year, freshman Aaliyah Crum expects to be a pivotal piece in DeForest's rotation this fall.

Equipped with an experienced and senior-led roster, DeForest hit the ground running, winning their first three invitationals to open the fall season.

DeForest kicked off its 2026 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the 2026 Waunakee “Bestball” Invitational on a misty morning at the Meadows of SixMile Creek. According to Wisconsin.golf, DeForest sent two teams, DeForest 1 and DeForest 2.

A total of 16 teams were in attendance with representation from Waunakee, Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West, Madison West, Madison Memorial and Madison La Follette. All teams were divided into groups of three.

DeForest’s No. 1 team won the invitational, securing a team score of 65. DeForest finished seven strokes ahead of second-place Waunakee. DeForest’s No. 2 team placed seventh overall with a team score of 84.

Leading the way for DeForest Thursday morning was Abigail Henriksen. Henriksen, who has committed to golf collegiately at Wisconsin, shot an invitational-best 73.

Not too far behind Henriksen was Brinely Goninen. Goninen, who recently committed to play golf at UW-Green Bay, finished second overall, shot a 75.

More strong finishes continued for DeForest when Anabelle Stravinski scored an 85. Aaliyah Crum shot a 90, while Addyson Heuer and Brielle Harris each shot a 101.

DeForest kept plenty busy over the week, facing the five-team Whitefish Bay Mini Invitational at Dretzka Park Golf Course in Milwaukee on Friday, Aug. 14.

Whitefish Bay, Homestead, Waunakee and Divine Savior Holy Angels (DSHA) were among the other teams in attendance.

DeForest won the invitational, Because of a team score of 314. DeForest finished eight strokes ahead of second-place finisher DSHA — a team that won the WIAA team state title the previous season.

Additional details

Leading the way on Friday was fueled by a strong effort from DeForest's two seniors in Abigail Henriksen and Brinley Goninen. Henriksen led all scorers with a 71, while Goninen finished one stroke behind her with a 72.

Not too far behind DeForest's duo was Anaballe Stravinski, who shot an 82, while Aaliyah Crum shot an 89 and Addyson Heuer shot a 101.

DeForest closed its week with a statement victory on Monday, Aug. 17, at Tomah Tune-Up at the Hiawatha Golf Course.

In the 20+ team field, DeForest won the invitational by 20 strokes, scoring a 326 collectively.

Abigail Henriksen paved the way for DeForest, placing first with a 65. Henriksen was the lone participant to shoot under 70 on Monday.

DeForest senior and Wisconsin commit Abigail Henriksen, pictured at Waunakee last Thursday, shot a 73, 71 and 65 through DeForest's first three invitationals to open the 2026 season.

Then came Anabelle Stravinski, who placed third on the leaderboard, shooting a 79. Aaliyah Crum shot an 89, Addyson Heuer shot a 93, while Brielle Harris shot a 111.

With the first week of action in the books, DeForest's top-heavy schedule will continue on Thursday, Aug. 20, where they will head to the Bay Port Invite at Thornberry Creek.

DeForest will return to the Madison area on Monday, Aug. 24 in the Coaches vs. Cancer Scramble at Maple Bluff Country Club at 12:30 p.m. before hosting DSHA in a match on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 9:30 a.m.