Biermann, Lu Aim to Make One Last Postseason Run

By Annie Kahler
For msuspartans.com

Seniors Katie Lu and Brooke Biermann are making the most of their time left at Michigan State, both on the golf course and in school. Their future plans involve going pro, but right now, their focus is on the team and their remaining time together.

The team carries traditions like finding an ice cream shop to bond at before a tournament and to celebrate each other after. They coordinate matching outfits, like an all-green shirt and skirt with a white visor on the last day of the tournament, to show their bond. They maintain their excitement on the course by cheering on and waving at teammates playing the hole in front of them.

"It's fun to wave to them, just to tell them, 'Hey, I got your back, you got mine,'" Lu, a native of New Jersey, said.

She graduated this month with a degree in finance, and has set high goals for herself and the team this season.

"Every year, our goal is to win the Big Ten, and the past three years, we've always been super close to making it past the third day of the national championship," Lu said. "I think a big thing would be to make it to the match-play portion and get that top-eight spot.

"I think that would be super cool to do as seniors, especially because it's never happened before. Also, just soaking in every moment because it's such an individual sport, and this will most likely be one of the last times that we play in a team setting."

Biermann, from Missouri, earned her bachelor's degree in human resources, and shares similar goals for this season; being competitive with opponents and making it through regionals and the national championship to get to the match-play portion.

The team dynamic is close, and they recognize and appreciate the importance of their bond.

"Our coaches built a really good culture here," Biermann said. "They make everyone push each other to be better but in a good and honest way. Being surrounded by so many tough women is also very helpful to push ourselves."

Each teammate supports the other, while working to achieve their own goals. They cheer the other players on, recognizing each other's successes.

"I want to see Brooke play the very best that she can because it would be very cool to see all that she can accomplish," Lu said. "I feel like in this culture, we're surrounded by so many great players, and Brooke is definitely one of them. When you can see what your teammate can do, it just shows you what's possible. I hope for Brooke to close out our college careers for both of us."

Biermann hopes the same for Lu. After cheering on Lu for the past four years, she is just as happy to watch her grow as she is herself.

"I hope for Katie to have a successful career and to look back and be happy with everything she's done and everything the team was able to accomplish," Biermann added. "I think that would be the best thing."

Lu and Biermann shared a lot of memories being on the team together, with their most favorite being when they tied at the top to win a tournament. The team celebrated a win for not one, but both of them.

"The energy when everything's clicking and you're able to not only be happy because you want to be, but because the whole team won," Biermann said. "When the energy's so good and everyone else played so well, those are great memories."

They each also had individual success. Biermann was the first MSU player in history to win the NCAA regional tournament, and Lu got her first win last year at the Mary Fossum Invitational.

Their success at MSU has prepared them for the opportunity to proceed with their careers at the next level, as they both plan to join the LPGA tour.

"I feel like our experience here has prepared us for what's going to come up, whether that be what we've learned in the classroom, on the golf course, or the many life skills that our coach has taught us," Lu said. "Michigan State really cares about its athletes and the resources that we get here. It's definitely gonna be exciting when we're done playing."

Biermann shares the same excitement as Lu. Everything that they have gone through together is leading to their professional games and transitioning to the professional ranks.

"I think Katie and I are both are in a similar boat," Biermann said. "We feel nervous to head out into the real world to test our abilities and everything we've learned these four years, but there's also a ton of excitement. This is what we've been training and working for and being able to head out there together, support each other, and see how far we can go; I think it's exciting."

Players Mentioned

Brooke Biermann

Katie Lu

Related Videos