Conant, Elk Grove advance to sectional

Conant’s Megan Hebert and Elk Grove’s Jon Rowley became the first coaches to direct their school’s girls golf programs into sectional competition.

While Maine South (344) took first place, Conant (365) was second followed by Elk Grove (390) in the Hoffman Estates Class AA regional at the Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club.

All three teams advance to the Carmel sectional at Bonnie Brook next Monday in Waukegan.

Completing the field were Rolling Meadows (400), Maine West (403), Taft (422), Schaumburg (450), Hoffman Estates (505) and Resurrection 519),

Cougars senior Jackie Halden shot an 81 to win medalist honors over the 5,313-yard, par 70 layout.

Right behind was Elk Grove’s Katie DeMeulenaere with an 82.

Completing the Cougars’ scorecard were Carly Bryeans (93), Megan Nagorzanski (95) and Annie Witt (96).

Other top scorers for Elk Grove were Marki Kaim (88), Erin Walz (108) and Sarah Hartness (112).

“We were fortunate to play a few practice rounds leading up to this meet,” Rowley said. “The girls played smart golf in really tough conditions (steady rain) and it paid off.”

Area golfers advancing who were not members of a qualifying team were Rolling Meadows’ Emily Hattory (85), Schaumburg’s Emily Santucci (92), Maine West’s Olenka Kalinowski (94), Rolling Meadows’ Jacuie Ingolia (95), Maine West’s Natalie Kozenczak (99), Maine West’s Kasia Dzul (102), Maine West’s Kayla Hansen (108) and Rolling Meadows’ Noreen Jay (109).