Southeastern, Noblesville, Carmel & Westfield all qualify for state
By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
EDGEWOOD – It was the Hamilton Southeastern girls golf team’s turn to end a post-season drought on Saturday.
The Royals won their first regional championship since 2014, triumphing at the Lapel regional, which took place at Edgewood Golf Course. Southeastern won by a comfortable margin, with a team score of 306.
“It’s amazing,” said Royals senior Cora Zink. “As a freshman and sophomore, I got to watch them play regionals. My freshman year we didn’t win. We’ve never won regionals in my three years, and now to win my fourth year, it’s so cool, because it’s my last time. So, it’s awesome.”
Noblesville finished in second place with a 318, while Delta was third with a 365. All three teams will advance to the IHSAA state finals, which take place next weekend at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
Consistency was the name of the game for Southeastern, as it had four of the top seven individuals at the regional. Ella Bui led the way with a 73, good for third place. Zink’s 75 gave her fourth place, while Janelle Garcia and Makenna Watson both had 79s, putting them in a three-way tie for fifth. Lauren Stewart scored an 81 to round out the HSE team.
“That’s been the key to us doing well all year, honestly, is being consistent,” said Royals coach Steve Guenin. “It just seems like every week or every tournament, we have different girls step up and play well. It’s nice that the other girls know they have somebody to rely on when things aren’t going their way today.”
“We’ve all been consistent all year, and to do it on this stage, with a little more pressure, it feels great,” said Zink.
The regional victory was the seventh in program history for Southeastern, and it will also mark the 18th time the Royals have qualified for the state meet. Since first making it to the big meet in 2002, Southeastern has only missed qualifying for state three times since then.
The Millers had won the regional for the past two years, but were the runners-up this year. Noblesville is still going to state, of course, and also had the medalist: Senior Caroline Whallon followed up her sectional victory by claiming the regional title. Whallon finished with a 71 for her first-ever regional win.
“Honestly, I did not feel the best after this round,” said Whallon. “I ended bogey, par, bogey.” But Whallon said she got it together on the back nine and was able to hang on for the win – “overall, I’m glad I stuck with it and grinded it out,” she said.
Noblesville had two players finish in the top seven. After Whallon’s victory, Karis Shields was part of the three-way tie for seventh with a 79.
“Certainly that’s the goal, is to get to the state finals,” said Millers coach Justin Werkley. “So, we’re excited to play there next week. Disappointed not to get the win, but glad that we’re right where we want to be next week at Prairie View.”
Noblesville qualified for state for the 29th time in program history, which moves the Millers into third place for all-time state finals appearances. It’s also the fourth consecutive year Noblesville will play at state.
Noblesville finished second at Edgewood and also qualified for state. The
Millers’ Caroline Whallon was the meet medalist with a 71. (Richie Hall)
‘HOUNDS WIN AT BATTLE GROUND
Over at Battle Ground Golf Course in Lafayette, Carmel added to its legacy by running away with the Lafaeytte Jefferson regional championship there.
The Greyhounds scored a 297 to win its second consecutive regional trophy, making it the first time since 2011-12 that Carmel has defended a regional title. (Carmel played at the Roncalli regional last year; the tournament was changed to add a sixth regional this season.)
Leading the way for the ‘Hounds was Claire Swathwood, who cruised to medalist honors with a four under par 68. Swathwood drained five birdies on her way to the first-place ribbon, and her puts her on an elite list of golfers that have carded a 68 or better at a regional round. Swathwood is one of only 22 players to meet or exceed that score.
Michaela Headlee and Kamryn Williams tied for fifth place individually, as both scored 75s. Williams made two birdies and Headlee had one. Ava Nguyen also drained two birdies on her way to a 79 and Sophie Mock put in one birdie while carding an 80.
The Greyhounds thus won their 14th regional title. Carmel is tied with Penn for second place for regional championships; the Kingsmen triumphed at the Lake Central regional Saturday at Sandy Pines. Martinsville has the most regional titles with 21.
The ‘Hounds did move into a tie for first place for most state finals appearances. Carmel qualified for state for the 31st time, which matches Lafayette Jefferson’s number of appearances. The Greyhounds have made it to state for the seventh straight year and for the 15th time in the last 16 years.
Westfield finished second at the regional, scoring a 319. Samantha Brown was the Shamrocks’ low woman, taking third place with a 72 and making two birdies along the way. Addi Kooi had one birdie while scoring an 80, and Claire Thompson made an eagle on the 15th hole. This will be the eighth time that Westfield competes at state.
Guerin Catholic had two individuals play at the regional. Ali Scott scored an 86 and Izzy Pinon carded an 87. Pinon had one birdie in her round.
Westfield qualified for the state meet by placing second at Battle Ground. (Photo provided)
AT EDGEWOOD
Team scores: Hamilton Southeastern 306, Noblesville 318, Delta 365, New Palestine 369, Fishers 378, Park Tudor 388, Cathedral 390, Northeastern 394, Daleville 396, Richmond 396, Mount Vernon 398, Rushville 401, Lawrence Central 404, Yorktown 404.
Medalist: Caroline Whallon (Noblesville) 36-35=71.
Southeastern scores: Ella Bui 35-38=73, Cora Zink 36-39=75, Janelle Garcia 40-39=79, Makenna Watson 38-41=79, Lauren Stewart 41-40=81.
Other Noblesville scores: Karis Shields 40-39=79, Jordan Adam 43-41=84, Josie Kelley 40-44=84, Olivia Fowler 44-43=87.
Fishers scores: Olivia Holding 38-48=86, Kristi Lilek 47-45=92, Sarah Majeski 46-49=95, Lola Kivett 52-53=105, Kate Jansen 49-61=110.
AT BATTLE GROUND
Team scores: Carmel 297, Westfield 319, Zionsville 329, Brownsburg 338, Plainfield 342, Brebeuf Jesuit 365, West Lafayette 374, Maconaquah 374, Western 382, Western Boone 387, Lafayette Jefferson 411, Harrison 414, Northwestern 418, Benton Central 421, Seeger 447.
Medalist: Claire Swathwood (Carmel) 35-33=68.
Other Carmel scores: Michaela Headlee 39-36=75, Kamryn Williams 36-39=75, Ava Nguyen 42-37=79, Sophie Mock 41-39=80.
Westfield scores: Samantha Brown 36-36=72, Addi Kooi 39-41=80, Claire Thompson 42-40=82, Kelsey Haverluck 40-45=85, Allie McKeown 42-44=86.
Guerin Catholic scores: Ali Scott 444-42=86, Izzy Pinon 41-46=87.