WIAA Girls Golf State Championship: A Report on Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development

Event Overview and Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) state championship for girls’ golf concluded with the crowning of individual and team champions. This event serves as a significant platform for promoting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by encouraging physical activity, mental resilience, and healthy lifestyles among young athletes. Participants demonstrated considerable fortitude while competing in challenging drizzly conditions at the University Ridge Golf Course.

• Division 1 Individual Medalist: Peyton Haugen of Brookfield East, with a championship record 12-under par 132.
• Division 1 Team Champion: Divine Savior Holy Angels.
• Division 1 Third Place: DeForest, marking the program’s best-ever state finish.
• Division 2 Runner-up: Edgerton Crimson Tide.

Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment (SDG 5)

The championship is a critical contributor to SDG 5: Gender Equality, by providing a high-profile stage for female athletes to showcase their talents, dedication, and leadership. The achievements of these young women serve to empower them and inspire their peers, challenging stereotypes and advancing the role of women in sport.

1. Exemplary Individual Achievement: Peyton Haugen’s record-breaking performance sets a new benchmark of excellence and highlights the potential of female athletes to dominate in their sport.
2. Collaborative Team Success: The DeForest team, led by top-8 individual finishers Abigail Henriksen and Brinley Goninen, demonstrated the power of female teamwork and mutual support, with one junior stating, “They’re like my best friends, and I just love playing with them.”
3. Intergenerational Strength: The Edgerton Crimson Tide’s runner-up finish was achieved with a team comprising both senior leadership and emerging freshman talent, fostering an environment of mentorship and sustained female participation in sports.

Fostering Quality Education and Life Skills (SDG 4)

Interscholastic athletics are an integral component of SDG 4: Quality Education, extending learning beyond the classroom. Participation in the state golf tournament equips students with invaluable life skills that support their holistic development. The dedication required to compete at this level reinforces principles of discipline, strategic thinking, and long-term goal setting.

• Discipline and Hard Work: The DeForest coach, Scott Siemion, attributed his team’s success to their commitment, noting, “The girls worked really hard in the offseason.” This reflects a disciplined approach to skill development.
• Perseverance and Improvement: The DeForest team’s advancement from a 6th-place finish in the previous year to a 3rd-place finish demonstrates resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Teamwork and Sportsmanship: The athletes’ expressions of pride in their teams underscore the development of crucial social skills, including collaboration and mutual respect.

Building Sustainable Communities and Strong Institutions (SDG 11 & SDG 16)

The tournament contributes to the development of inclusive and resilient communities, in line with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Local high school sports foster community identity and pride, bringing together students, families, and residents. Furthermore, the event operates under the framework of the WIAA, an organization that exemplifies the principles of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by providing a fair, regulated, and equitable structure for competition.

• Community Engagement (SDG 11): The notable achievements of local programs from DeForest and Edgerton generate significant community pride and strengthen social bonds.
• Institutional Integrity (SDG 16): The WIAA provides the essential governance to ensure the tournament is conducted with fairness and sportsmanship, reinforcing the value of strong institutions in society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article is exclusively focused on a girls’ state golf championship (“WIAA crowned state champions in girls golf”). By highlighting the achievements of female athletes like Peyton Haugen, Abigail Henriksen, and Brinley Goninen, it showcases and promotes girls’ participation in competitive sports, an area where they have historically had fewer opportunities than their male counterparts. This directly supports the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Participation in sports like golf is a key component of a healthy lifestyle, contributing to both physical and mental well-being. The article implicitly supports this goal by portraying a positive and healthy activity for young people. The camaraderie and positive emotions expressed by the players, such as Brinley Goninen stating, “They’re like my best friends, and I just love playing with them,” point to the mental and social benefits of sports participation.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The event involves school teams such as DeForest and the Edgerton Crimson Tide, positioning the golf tournament within the broader educational system. School sports are a critical part of a holistic education, teaching valuable life skills beyond the classroom. The coach’s comment that “The girls worked really hard in the offseason” highlights the development of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, which are essential educational outcomes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.
   • The article serves as a clear example of this target being met in the sphere of public life, specifically in athletics. The existence of a state-level championship for girls’ golf demonstrates that young women have opportunities for “full and effective participation” in competitive sports. The celebration of their success provides them with visibility and recognition.
2. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article connects to the “promote mental health and well-being” aspect of this target. The positive experiences shared by the athletes, such as the pride expressed by Abigail Henriksen (“I’m super proud of this team”) and the joy from Kenny Kern (“it’s just really the ice cream on top — the cherry on top!”), illustrate the positive impact of sports on the mental and emotional well-being of young people.
3. Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…
   • This target includes the development of skills learned through a comprehensive education. The article implies the acquisition of such skills through sport. Coach Scott Siemion’s pride in his team’s hard work and ability to “[make] a move yesterday and today” demonstrates that the athletes are learning about dedication, strategy, and resilience, which are valuable skills for their future development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 5.5:
   • An implied indicator is the existence and successful execution of the WIAA girls’ golf state championship itself. The article provides specific data points that can be used as measures of participation, such as the number of divisions (Division 1 and Division 2), the winning teams (Divine Savior Holy Angels, DeForest finishing 3rd, Edgerton as runner-up), and the individual medalist (Peyton Haugen).
2. Indicators for Target 3.4:
   • A qualitative indicator is the collection of positive testimonials from the student-athletes. Quotes from juniors, freshmen, and seniors expressing pride, friendship, and joy serve as evidence of the positive mental and social well-being promoted by the sports program. The mention of teams including “two freshman in its scoring four” indicates broad participation across different age groups, promoting healthy habits from a young age.
3. Indicators for Target 4.7:
   • An indicator is the successful integration of competitive sports within the school curriculum, as shown by the participation of school-named teams like “DeForest” and “Edgerton Crimson Tide.” Another indicator is the measurable improvement in a team’s performance, such as the DeForest team’s advancement from a “6th-place finish in 2024” to 3rd place, which reflects the successful application of skills like hard work and discipline fostered by their coach and school program.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wkow.com