Best is yet to come for Herbel twins
BISMARCK, N.D. (BVM) — In North Dakota Class A high school girls golf, everyone knows the Herbel twins.
Since they started playing on varsity at Bismarck Century as seventh graders, Hannah and Leah Herbel have been two of the best golfers in the state.
“That was a different experience,” Hannah said. “At first it was pretty intimidating.”
But they got over that intimidation quickly when Hannah took fourth at state that year. According to both girls a big reason for why were able to reach that level so quickly was their longtime hitting coach Chuck Rupert.
The next year as eighth graders, Hannah won the individual state championship with Leah close behind taking fourth place. They also both played big parts in helping the Patriots win the team state championship that same year.
“It made it so much more fun to win two championships in the same year,” Hannah said.
Hannah would go on to repeat as the individual state champion with Leah taking fifth at the state championship. Century also repeated as state champions.
With this success has come recognition both from the state and from their local community. Hannah is regularly recognized and Leah has said that since they began playing for Century, there has been an uptick of girls going out for golf.
“I guess that’s what happens when you have success in a sport,” Leah said. “I love seeing that.”
Girls are going out to try to be the next Herbel twins and replicate what they have been able to do. With COVID this year there were questions about whether their sophomore season would take place, but the twins and the whole Century team tried to stay focused on what they could control.
“We were just taking it day by day,” Leah said. “We were just coming to practice every day hoping we could do this tomorrow.”
This year was also different for the Patriots because they had a new coach in Jeff Rasmussen and they would be without Leah for the entire season due to a pinched nerve in her back.
“I was really progressing and getting better, so I thought I wouldn’t be playing the first couple of tournaments, but I figure I would for sure be able to play the last couple,” Leah said.
Unfortunately, whenever she tried to play, she would aggravate the injury and was unable to come back.
“It was definitely different,” Hannah said. “She was still there and that really helped me.”
“I think I did a good job of keeping the positivity around our team,” Leah said.
Century and Hannah made it back to state to defend their championships. The team fell short, placing second to Fargo Shanley, but Hannah was able to win her third straight state title.
Hannah said that an important factor in that third title run was Coach Rasmussen calming her down after a shaky start to the state tournament.
“He just looked on the bright side of things and kept me going strong,” Hannah said.
Looking forward, both Leah and Hannah are excited for the future and are ready to reclaim the team state title. Hannah is also ready to defend her individual title.
“Right now, I’m only focusing on four. I’m not even thinking of five yet,” Hannah said.
What should worry other golfers and teams in North Dakota is that, according to the Herbels, they are just now reaching their potential.
“I’ve never seen Hannah’s game this good this year,” Leah said. “Everything came together for her.”
Leah has said that the time off recovering from her injury has allowed her to focus on short games. The added practice has brought her short game to a level she has never had it at before and will make a huge difference next fall.
“I’m really excited to see what Hannah and I are capable of,” Leah said.
