By RICHIE HALL
This year’s Noblesville girls golf sectional at Harbour Trees took place on Monday, the first day of the week.
That was appropriate, as this the sectional turned into a showcase for some great young players. Hamilton Southeastern edged out the Millers for the team sectional championship, and the Royals were led by a freshman. Noblesville has several young players as well, and underclassmen from Fishers and Hamilton Heights also made their presences known.
Southeastern scored 335 to win the trophy, just ahead of the Millers’ 337. It’s the 10th sectional title for HSE’s girls golf program, and the first time the Royals successfully defended a sectional championship since winning three in a row in 2013-14-15.
“It was great out here,” said Royals coach Steve Guenin. “The wind kicked up a bit, so it was tough for sure. Honestly, we started out a little slow on the front side, and really put together some nice scores on the back nine.
Southeastern was led by freshman Amber Luttrell, who was the individual medalist with a round of 77. Payton Schechter scored an 82 for the Royals.
“I was nervous, just being that it was my first sectionals,” said Luttrell. “But I think it turned out really well, and I think I had a really good day today.”
“Amber had a really nice day, so we’re happy for her,” said Guenin. “She’s been working hard, so that’s exciting to see there.”
The Millers had a consistent day, with Ellie Karst the low woman with a score of 81. That gave her third place individually. Caroline Whallon was next with an 82, while Sarah Brenneman scored 83.
“The goal is to advance to regionals, which we did,” said Noblesville coach Justin Werkley. “We’ll be ready to go on Saturday. It would’ve been nice to win sectionals, but we’re still playing and that’s the goal.”
The top three teams from the sectional advance to Saturday’s Lapel regional at Edgewood Golf Club. The regional host Bulldogs picked up the third qualifying spot with a score of 358.
Fishers placed fourth as a team with a score of 374, but will send two individuals to Edgewood, as the top three golfers not on a qualifying team also move on to the regional.
Senior Kaitlyn Brunnemer scored an 83 to get the first individual spot, while sophomore Lilly McVay’s 95 made her the third qualifier.
“It feels great,” said Brunnemer. “It was a good day. I had a rough front nine but I knew I had to come back on the back nine.”
“I actually had no thought of making it out to regional,” said McVay. “I was just here to have a good time and that hopefully our team would move on. I had no thought of me making it out as an individual, so it’s a good surprise.”
Joining the Fishers girls as individual qualifiers will be Sydni Zebrauskas of Hamilton Heights. The freshman carded a 92, giving her the second regional qualifying place. Zebrauskas is the first regional qualifier for the Huskies since Caitie Gehlhausen went to regional three years in a row in 2014-15-16.
“It’s really exciting, especially since it’s my first sectionals,” said Zebrauskas.
Team scores: Hamilton Southeastern 335, Noblesville 337, Lapel 358, Fishers 374, Hamilton Heights 396, Alexandria 443, Frankton 444, Shenandoah 451, Elwood 475.
Medalist: Amber Luttrell (HSE) 39-38=77.
Other Southeastern scores: Payton Schechter 41-41=82. Ashley Marcinko 46-41=87, Lauren Stewart 46-43=89, Maggie Watson 47-43=90.
Noblesville scores: Ellie Karst 39-42=81, Caroline Whallon 41-41=82, Sarah Brenneman 40-43=83, Taylor Caldwell 45-46=91, Bella Deibel 51-51=102.
Fishers scores: Kaitlyn Brunnemer 43-40=83, Lilly McVay 43-52=95, Caitlyn Kim 49-47=96, Kaelyn Tai 51-49=100, Kristi Lilek 51-57=108.
Heights scores: Sydni Zebrauskas 49-43=92, Ellie Arrowood 46-50=96, Alyx Harley 46-51=97, Rebekah Steffen 55-56=111, Kaylee Rhoton 58-56=114.
The Hamilton Southeastern girls golf team defended its sectional championship Monday at Harbour Trees. The Royals edged out Noblesville by two shots to win its 10th title in program history and advance to Saturday’s regional at Edgewood Golf Club in Lapel. (Richie Hall)
Noblesville finished second at Harbour Trees, earning a spot in Saturday’s regional at Edgewood. (Richie Hall)