Impressive showings justify No. 1 ranking on pre-season poll
The Indiana girls golf pre-season polls came out on Sunday, and Carmel was ranked No. 1 on the list.
The Greyhounds have easily justified that top rating, as Carmel won two big invitationals to open the season. First, the ‘Hounds won the Bloomington South Invitational Monday at Bloomington Country Club, then got a victory closer to home at the Hamilton Southeastern Invitational Tuesday at Stony Creek Golf Club in Noblesville.
CLAIRE GOES EIGHT UNDER
Carmel’s big Bloomington win was led by an outstanding performance from Claire Swathwood. The junior was the individual medalist with an eight under par score of 65. Swathwood drained nine birdies in her round, with eight pars and just one bogey.
“Claire gained some momentum early and kept it rolling the entire round,” said Greyhounds coach Kelly Kluesner on the Carmel High School athletics website. “She was a true leader and it was fun to watch her competitive spirit!”
The ‘Hounds got solid performances from their other golfers as well. Michaela Headlee and Kamryn Williams both scored 78s, while Ava Nguyen added an 80.
Westfield, ranked No. 5 in the pre-season poll, placed fourth with a team score of 332. Addi Kooi led the Shamrocks with a score of 79.
Carmel had another solid day Tuesday at Stony Creek. The Greyhounds had two teams play in the tournament, and Carmel Blue scored a team total of 294 for the victory. Kamryn Williams was the meet medalist with a score of 71, while Swathwood added a 73. Nguyen carded a 74, improving by six strokes in just one day.
The host Royals had three teams at their annual tournament, with Southeastern’s Blue team taking second by scoring 312. Ella Bui was the leader for HSE Blue with a 75, followed by Cora Zink with 76. The Royals’ Gray team placed third, Reece Hisson led the way with a 73.
Southaeastern’s White team finished with a score of 362; Laci Hart led that Royals squad with an 84. Meanwhile, Janelle Garcia played as an individual for the Royals, and she finished with a score of 72, tying for second place with Lapel’s Macy Beeson.
Fishers sent two teams to Stony Creek; the Tigers’ Red team scored a 380, and their Silver team a 432. Olivia Holding, playing on the Red team, led Fishers with a 92.
Westfield had a junior varsity team play in the tournament. Jami Hanavan led the Shamrocks with an 86. Three Hamilton Heights players also participated, with Anna Rickey scoring an 86.
AT BLOOMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB
Team scores: Carmel 301, Castle 305, Center Grove 315, Westfield 332, Floyd Central 339, Franklin Community 340, Bedford North Lawrence 352, Columbus East 393, Jasper 396, Columbus North 415, South Knox 435, Bloomington South 435, Seymour 448, Evansville North 451, Washington 492.
Medalist: Claire Swathwood (Carmel) 65.
Other Carmel scores: Michaela Headlee 78, Kamryn Williams 78, Ava Nguyen 80, Sophie Cassidy 88.
Westfield scores: Addi Kooi 79, Kelsey Haverluck 81, Allie McKeown 86, Claire Thompson 86, Lilley Ku 87.
AT STONY CREEK
Team scores: Carmel Blue 294, Hamilton Southeastern Blue 312, Hamilton Southeastern Gray 328, Carmel Gold 350, Hamilton Southeastern White 362, Westfield 362, Fishers Red 380, Lapel 387, Roncalli 404, Fishers Silver 432.
Medalist: Kamryn Williams (Carmel Blue) 71.
Other Carmel Blue scores: Claire Swathwood 73, Ava Nguyen 74, Michaela Headlee 76, Sophie Mock 78.
Southeastern Blue scores: Ella Bui 75, Cora Zink 76, Makenna Watson 77, Lauren Stewart 84, Annabelle Willard 88.
Southeastern Gray scores: Reese Hisson 73, Natalia Nieset 82, Abby Strawmeyer 86, Karolina Franssen 87, Alaina Sumner 89.
Carmel Gold scores: Sophie Cassidy 77, Maya Berglund 81, Caroline Enzor 94, Ava Lud 98, Olivia Weaver 101.
Southeastern White scores: Laci Hart 84, Brooke Willard 86, Anna McNairy 91, Mila Parthon 101, Lilly Forrest 103.
Westfield scores: Jami Hanavan 86, Ellison Dagy 90, Macy McAlister 92, Sadie Edwards 94, Olivia Cook 107.
Fishers Red scores: Olivia Holding 92, Kristi Lilek 95, Kate Jansen 96, Sarah Majeski 97, Lola Kivett 106.
Fishers Silver scores: Ayanna Bodake 105, Tori Klinker 106, Ava Wellbaum 108, Marissa Moore 113, Maren Spencer 117.
Hamilton Heights scores: Anna Rickey 86, Kaylee Rhoton 94, Lola Wilson 108.
Southeastern individual: Janelle Garcia 72.
The Westfield girls golf team won the Battle Ground Invitational on Tuesday. The Shamrocks scored a 294, with two players going under par. (Photo provided)
Westfield traveled to Battle Ground Golf Course on Tuesday and won the invitational there with a team score of 294.
McKeown went two under par for the tournament, carding a 70 for medalist honors. Haverluck was the runner-up with a one under par 71, while Kooi was even with a 72. Thompson added an 81, and Ku finished with an 87.
Shamrocks coach Josh Bryant called it a great bounce-back round on Westfield’s new regional course.
“To have two players under par on a fairly unfamiliar course for both players was just outstanding,” said Bryant. “Excited to see what the season has in store for this team.”