Kyndall Peterson’s remarkable path to a personal best

Sep. 5—DICKINSON — In the world of high school athletics, one local name is shining bright. Dickinson High School’s remarkable sophomore sensation, Kyndall Peterson has continued to make a name for herself with a relentless drive, remarkable talent in three sports, and an unwavering determination to conquer any challenge that comes her way. Kyndall’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.

Her dedication and determination has kept her name in the newspaper as a three-sport athlete, however, her most recent accomplishment —carding an 82 at the Century Invite last Tuesday — helped secure a top-five finish for her team, and along the way set a new personal best.

This achievement not only placed her at the forefront of Dickinson’s performance on the day, but also left her coach, Matt Goettle, impressed. Peterson managed to reduce her score on the course by 10 strokes compared to the previous season.

“Going into it I knew it wasn’t my strongest course. It wasn’t my favorite and that’s fine,” Peterson said. “Coach John [Spry] always said that every course has to be my favorite, no matter how I do there.”

John Spry serves as the head coach of the program, and although he was absent on the day, his guidance remained with Peterson in spirit. She fondly recalled his advice to, “take her medicine” on the 9th hole, instead of attempting a heroic shot between the trees — a tendency she often has.

She understood that keeping the ball on the fairway was the wisest course of action, ultimately resulting in a stellar 38 on the front nine.

The Century Invite took place at Riverwood Golf Course, known for its tree-lined fairway boundaries. The 8th and 9th holes, in particular, are notorious for their challenges, both for novices and experienced golfers alike.

“Riverwood is different from some of the other courses because of the trees. The fairways aren’t that narrow, but the trees make them look narrow and I think that makes it tough for the girls,” Matthew Goettle, Dickinson Midgets assistant coach, said. “But that day at the driving range Kyndall was hitting a really high straight ball and she just kept it … Everything was just clicking and she has the tools to keep it going that way and I just hope she does.”

Kyndall has always possessed power in her shots, whether on the ice, the field or the golf course. However, her keen insight and golfing IQ have enabled her to surpass her previous boundaries on the course. While all her sports require a good swing, Goettle pointed out that each one is vastly different from the others, and her ability to excel in all three is a testament to her rigorous training and strong mindset.

“She has a lot of power. She is a softball player, a hockey player and she has brought some of that aggressiveness, which you need to put speed in the swing,” Goettle said. “I think she is just getting all that figured out. It is not an easy thing.”

Peterson expressed immense gratitude to her teammates and coaches, particularly her upperclassman Tristyn Baumgartner, with whom she playfully competes against regularly in practice and during invitationals. Baumgartner serves as a source of comfort on challenging days, reflecting the supportive team culture built by Spry and Goettle.

She also credited her parents as significant motivators. Her father, Nick Peterson, coaches her in hockey and serves as a year-round source of inspiration and guidance in all her pursuits.

“My dad really helps motivate me with everything I do. He has always been there and I love my dad for that and my mom motivates me too,” Kyndall Peterson said. “They both want me to be the best that I can be and that helps a lot.”

Peterson has set her sights on the green, aiming to participate in the Class A girls’ golf state tournament at the end of the season. Missing out on this opportunity by a few strokes last year was both devastating and motivating to the young Kyndall. To qualify as a team, the Midgets must place in the top six at the West Region tourney, and the more Peterson lowers her stroke count, the closer they get to that goal.

“I think qualifying as a team would be really fun, but one of my goals this year is to qualify in general even if it’s by myself,” Peterson said. “I think if I keep lowering my score I will do that.”

This week, the Dickinson Midgets will be back in Bismarck for the St. Mary’s Invite on Thursday. To review results and upcoming events, visit the

https://www.wdasports.org/sports/girls-golf

webpage or check out the

activities calendar

on Dickinson High School website. And please support local stories and be a subscriber to The Dickinson Press.