By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
The Fishers girls golf team has accomplished many firsts over the past few seasons, and it added another one to the list on Saturday: The first successful defense of a sectional championship.
The Tigers triumphed at the Noblesville sectional, played at Harbour Trees. Fishers carded a 306 and led a Hamilton County sweep of the top three. Hamilton Southeastern was the runner-up with a 320, while the host Millers scored 344. All three teams advance to next Saturday’s Lapel regional at Edgewood Country Club.
The Tigers shot 309 to win the sectional last year, so they improved their score by three strokes. Fishers coach Danny Smith said his team played “fantastic,” noting there were four scores in the 70s.
“We had four girls that were in seventh place or better out of all the teams,” said Smith. “I couldn’t be more pleased.”
In addition, Kennedy Brooker was the sectional medalist for the second year in a row. Brooker finished with a 73, well ahead of a three-way tie for second place.
“It feels great,” said Brooker. “I’m super excited for the team, since we won both years in a row and it’s exciting.”
Morgan Lewis and Anna DelPrince both carded 77s, putting them in that second-place tie. Grace Brooks carded a 79, marking a new personal best score for her.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Haleigh Gray was the third player in the second-place tie, as she also shot a 77. The Royals’ Chelsea Morrow tied for fifth place individually, scoring a 78. Southeastern was consistent overall, with the other three players shooting in the 80s. HSE improved its score by one shot over last season’s sectional.
“We played fantastic,” said HSE coach Steve Guenin. “We did a nice job out here. It was gorgeous, the sun was shining. It was a great day.”
Brooke Gigante led the Millers with a score of 79, while Sarah Hayes was not far behind, shooting an 83. Noblesville’s 344 was seven strokes better than its score of 351 last season.
“We played well,” said NHS coach Justin Werkley. “We had a couple players have their best rounds of the year, and we had our best team score of the year. It’s a great time to play our best golf.”
Hamilton Heights finished fifth with a 441. Kate Biggs led the Huskies with a 96.
Team scores: Fishers 306, Hamilton Southeastern 320, Noblesville 344, Lapel 365, Hamilton Heights 441, Shenandoah 454, Anderson 485, Alexandria 496, Elwood 503.
Medalist: Kennedy Brooker (Fishers) 36-37=73.
Other Fishers scores: Morgan Lewis 39-38=77, Anna DelPrince 38-39=77, Grace Brooks 39-40=79, Brooke Wilson 47-43=90.
Southeastern scores: Haleigh Gray 38-39=77, Chelsea Morrow 38-40=78, Julia Eaton 40-41=81, Dagny Gladwell 44-40=84, Nicole Dillow 43-43=86.
Noblesville scores: Brooke Gigante 36-43=79, Sarah Hayes 43-40=83, Bella Deibel 44-46=90, Taylor Keating 40-52=92, Ellie Karst 51-60=111.
Heights scores: Kate Biggs 44-52=96, Ellie Arrowood 52-49=101, Alyx Harley 52-61=113, Veronica Meredith 69-62=131, Mallori Clark 78-67=145.
The Fishers girls golf team defended its sectional championship Saturday at Harbour Trees. The Tigers carded a 306 and will advance to the Lapel regional next Saturday. (Richie Hall)
The Hamilton Southeastern (above) and Noblesville (below) girls golf teams placed second and third respectively at the Harbour Trees sectional on Saturday, thus qualifying for next Saturday’s regional at Edgewood Country Club in Lapel. (Richie Hall)
