By MARY CHVATAL, UNK Communications

KEARNEY – Before she ever teed it up for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Calie Dockter had already left a lasting impression.

"Calie was one of my most memorable visits since I've been recruiting," UNK head women's golf coach Shawn Rodehorst said. "She's the only one I've ever had who committed in a church parking lot, and I think that says a lot about her character."

"I'm a personality and people person when it comes to recruiting," he added. "You can teach golf, but you can't teach someone how to be a good person. With Calie, I could already tell how hard of a worker she was and how great of a person she'd be."

Originally from Minnesota, where she won a Class AA section title and competed in the Women's Amateur Championship, Dockter joined the Lopers in fall 2024 and made an immediate impact. During her first collegiate tournament at Bayside Golf Club along Lake McConaughy, she shot a 151 over 36 holes and sank a 40-foot putt in the playoff to win the eight-team event.

That was only the beginning.

One month later, she carded a 141 at KickingBird Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma, tying the school record for a 36-hole tournament. The Lopers recorded a two-day total of 584, the second-best team score in program history.

UNK wrapped up the season back at KickingBird Golf Club for the NCAA Central Regional, where they shot the second-lowest 54-hole total in program history (888) to finish ninth. Dockter carded a 229 on the par-70 course, tying for 13th in the UNK record books.

"Simply put, I'm just grateful for the opportunity," she said. "It's really cool coming in as a freshman, experiencing something completely different and being granted the opportunity to help the team succeed wherever I can."

Dockter ranked third on the team with a 79.52 scoring average in 2024-25. She also excelled in the classroom, earning the MIAA Academic Excellence Award for a 4.0 GPA and qualifying for the WGCA All-American Scholar Team.

Teammate Claire Berquist calls her a "natural leader," praising her mental toughness and ability to elevate those around her.

"She always figures out how to get the ball in the hole, even when things aren't going well," Berquist said. "Some of our best team rounds come from those days when she has to find a way to handle adversity."

Currently ranked 10th in the Central Region, the Lopers have three tournament titles this season and a pair of runner-up finishes. Individually, Dockter has a couple top-10 performances.

Behind those results is a commitment that extends beyond competition and into the daily habits shaping both her game and the team's culture.

"Her work ethic and faith are unmatched compared to other people at her level," Rodehorst said. "She's got a high ceiling that she can reach in golf, and it's all thanks to the work she's putting in on her own time. That work isn't just hitting balls. It's been growing faith-based relationships on the team that have ultimately brought all of the girls together."

Alongside Berquist, Dockter is a guiding presence in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) organization, leading Bible studies and other activities. She also conducts undergraduate research while studying exercise science.

On the course, the UNK sophomore and her teammates have one more regular-season tournament before the MIAA Championships, scheduled for April 20-22 in Warrensburg, Missouri. They're looking to qualify for the NCAA Central Regional for the fourth time in the last five years.

"The challenge," Dockter said with a smile, "is some days you feel like you've got it all figured out and other days you don't. The good shots, like striping a drive or making a long putt, are what keep you coming back."