Two Gator teams capture state tournament berths

The Gator softball seniors, including student manager Alicia Berard, Carly Mekash, Montgomery DeZelar, and Kaitlynn Hamann hold up the Section 8A Championship plaque. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Gator senior Carly Mekash prepares to connect with this pitch for a home run over the left field fence to give the Gators a 1-0 first-inning lead. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Gator teammates greet Carly Mekash at home plate after she hit the first-inning solo home run in the Gators’ Section 8A Championship game victory. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Mariah Christian releases a pitch to a Norman County East/Ulen Hitterdal Titan batter in the first inning of the second Section 8A Championship game in Ada on May 31. Christian pitched a complete game to earn the victory. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Junior center fielder Makenna Burslie slaps the hand of Gator first base coach Dave Blazek after recording a hit in the second Section 8A Championship game. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Gator shortstop Carly Mekash looks on after making the throw to first base for the final out of the Section 8A Championship game, sealing the team’s third section title in four years. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

The Gator girls celebrate with and embrace one another after clinching a Section 8A title and state tournament berth. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Ganon Kuznia, the only state advancer for the Gator boys’ team, putts in on hole #9 at the Bemidji Town and Country Club. Kuznia tied for third individually at the Section 8A tournament to earn his state berth. (photo by Val Truscinski)

Jasmine Christianson tees off of hole #15 during day one of the two day section meet. Christianson tied for ninth individually as part of the Section 8A Girls’ Golf Champion team. (photo by Val Truscinski)

Kianna Novacek successfully gets her ball out of the sand trap and on to the green. Novacek finished second individually to lead the Gator girls to a Section 8A team title and state tournament berth. (photo by Val Truscinski)

The Gator girls’ golf team poses with its Section 8A championship plaque following action from the Bemidji Town and Country Club on May 30. They are (L-R): Head Coach Brady Johnson, Jasmine Christianson, Kianna Novacek, Alyssa Rinde, Kennedy Truscinski, Maisy Ylitalo, and Anissah Novacek. (photo by Val Truscinski)