By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – The results of this year’s IHSAA girls golf state finals proved – as it does every year – that there is never a shortage of new talent making its mark in the Hoosier state.
Two freshmen from Hamilton County schools made an impact at the state meet, which finished up Saturday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. Michaela Headlee was the individual runner-up and helped the Greyhounds to another podium finish. Westfield’s Samantha Brown, fresh off a regional title, landed in the top 10 and was part of a Shamrocks team that took fifth.
Carmel placed third as a team, with a two-day total of 635, marking the second time in three years that the ‘Hounds received medals at state and their third straight year in the top five. Carmel was bested only by defending champ Homestead, this year’s runner-up with a 628, and Evansville North, which scored a 625 to win the state championship for the fifth time in seven years.
Headlee provided some excitement during the early part of her round, making birdies on three of her first five holes. She eventually finished the front nine even, but birdied the 11th hole, and made par for her remaining seven holes to score a one-under 71. Headlee was the only player to go under par on the second day.
“It feels really good,” said Headlee. “I was really working for this tournament and now I just feel like my work’s paid off.”
Overall, Headlee carded a two-day total of 147 for the tournament, just one shot behind Lapel sophomore Macy Beeson, who became her school’s first-ever girls golf state champion with a two-day score of 146.
“It was really fun,” said Headlee. She described her play as “really consistent.”
“I only made a few mistakes, and when I did make those mistakes, I came back from them,” said Headlee. “So, it just kept my momentum going.”
As Headlee begins what should be a great career for Carmel, another Greyhound finished her career in fine fashion.
Senior Katie Kuc, a star for Carmel since she was a freshman herself, placed in the top 10, earning an individual medal at state for the second year in a row. Kuc finished ninth with a two-day score of 155; she carded a 77 for her second round.
“I got to play with some of my friends from my senior year, and overall, happy that I was still able to finish in the top 10,” said Kuc.
Kuc made two birdies on Saturday. She will be playing for Xavier University next year, but took a moment to reflect on what being part of the Greyhounds team has meant for her.
“Carmel golf has definitely taught me a lot of things,” said Kuc. “The past four years, I’ve been learning so much. The high school years are your most important to grow and develop. Coaches and team, great support system, and it’s been a great four years.”
Headlee and Kuc were both named to the All-State team after the meet by virtue of their top 10 finishes at state. Another Carmel senior, Sydney Longstreth, received All-State honors by earning enough points from her performances at meets during the season. Longstreth finished with a 167 and had one birdie in her round.
“I really just told the girls to believe in themselves and keep on being true to themselves and playing their game,” said Greyhounds coach Kelly Kluesner. “They did that. We’re proud of how they finished. We’ve got two freshmen, this is their first experience. Michaela did amazing.”
Culver Academies took the fourth and final podium spot with a 648. Westfield was close behind, placing fifth with a 650. The future looks bright for the Shamrocks, with the freshman Brown earning a spot in the top 10.
Brown totaled a 154 over the two days, shooting a 76 in her second round.
“I was just excited to come out here and play,” said Brown. She admitted to being nervous at the beginning, but was able to get her nerves in check by the second day.
“The first tee was definitely the one that got me,” said Brown. “But I hit a good drive and then my nerves, they settled, but they kept rising and falling. Today was better. I wasn’t as nervous. I just played and what happened, happened.”
Brown’s performance got her on the All-State team. She was joined by her teammate, junior Sophie McGinnis, who earned enough points to make All-State as well. McGinnis finished with a score of 167, making one birdie along the way.
The ‘Rocks had a consistent day, with all five players placing in the top 40. Junior Allie Hildebrand scored 165, junior Brette Hananvan scored 167 and senior Cate Jensen carded a 169.
“I think the kids battled hard today,” said Westfield coach Trevor Neu, whose team finished in the top five for the second consecutive year and made the top six for the sixth time in seven years. “There were some things that didn’t go our way, and the kids didn’t lay down. They fought the entire day and didn’t give up, so I’m really proud of the grit that they showed.”
Hamilton Southeastern placed seventh at state with a two-day score of 674. Junior Yanah Rolston led the Royals with a 166, carding an 84 for her second round. Senior Grace Dubec finished with a 168 and had one second-round birdie, while junior Marissa Spreitzer had two birdies on Saturday; she and sophomore Amber Luttrell each finished with 172s. Senior Ashley Marcinko scored 171.
“We did a nice job,” said Royals coach Steve Guenin. “It was a little bit tougher today.” Guenin mentioned that the wind “was blowing a little bit,” but credited his team with persevering: “We stuck it out there, we didn’t give up, we didn’t quit,” he said, noting that his team was able to put together some nice rounds.
Noblesville tied for eighth place by scoring a 698. Sophomore Caroline Whallon led the Millers by tying for 11th individually with a score of 157. Whallon carded a 79 in her second round and made one birdie. Three other Noblesville players, seniors Sarah Brenneman and Ellie Karst and freshman Jordan Adam, all had one birdie as well.
“Not our best day the last two days, but I was really proud of them the way they hung in there,” said Millers coach Justin Werkley. “It was great to be here and it was a great experience, and I’m really proud of the team.”
Two individuals from Hamilton County also played at state. Guerin Catholic junior Christina Pfefferkorn finished 10th, giving her a spot on the All-State team. Pfefferkorn had a two-day score of 156, shooting a 76 in her second round and making one birdie.
“I think I played really solid,” said Pfefferkorn. “The first day was a bit of a struggle, but I came back today and played a lot better.”
Fishers junior Lilly McVay scored a 183 over two days, scoring an 89 for her second round.
Team scores: Evansville North 305-320=625, Homestead 315-313=628, Carmel 316-319=635, Culver Academies 327-321=648, Westfield 324-326=650, Columbus North 337-327=664, Hamilton Southeastern 331-343=674, Center Grove 353-345=698, Noblesville 349-349=698, Castle 358-359=717, Crown Point 358-370=728, NorthWood 372-371=743, Greenfield-Central 373-375=748, Concord 363-386=749, Western 386-385=771.
Top 10 individuals: 1. Macy Beeson (Lapel) 74-72=146, 2. Michaela Headlee (Carmel) 76-71=147, 3. Chloe Johnson (Evansville North) 73-75=148, 4. Reese Wilson (Culver Academies) 76-73=149, 5. Madison Dabagia (Homestead) 75-75=150, 6. Simone Senk (Homestead) 76-75=151, T7. Samantha Brown (Westfield) 78-76=154; Destynie Sheridan (Evansville North) 76-78=154, 9. Katie Kuc (Carmel) 78-77=155, 10. Christina Pfefferkorn (Guerin Catholic) 80-76=156.
Other Carmel scores: Sydney Longstreth 82-85=167, Claire Swathwood 80-88=168, Ava Hedrick 88-86=174.
Other Westfield scores: Allie Hildebrand 82-83=165, Sophie McGinnis 81-86=167, Brette Hanavan 86-81=167, Cate Jensen 83-86=169.
Southeastern scores: Yanah Rolston 82-84=166, Grace Dubec 82-86=168, Ashley Marcinko 84-87=171, Amber Luttrell 83-89=172, Marissa Spreitzer 86-86=172.
Noblesville scores: Caroline Whallon 78-79=157, Ellie Karst 85-90=175, Sarah Brenneman 94-84=178, Taylor Caldwell 95-96=181, Sophi Stutz (first day) and Jordan Adam (second day) 92-101=193.
Fishers score: Lilly McVay 94-89=183.