Fab finish for Mundelein
Handed the first regional championship trophy in Mundelein girls golf history, Courteney Fabbri posed for a picture upon request and forced a smile.
“OK, this is awkward,” the senior said.
This was a team effort, after all. The Mustangs took their trophy and gathered by a shaded area near some trees and posed for group shots.
The champs looked comfy, cozy — anything but awkward.
Mundelein carded a 363 to win Wednesday’s Class AA Carmel Catholic regional at Bonnie Brook Golf Course in Waukegan, while Carmel (379) and Libertyville (380) also advanced to Monday’s Buffalo Grove sectional at Buffalo Grove Golf Course.
“It’s amazing,” said Fabbri, who took runner-up honors with an 81, 5 shots behind medalist Morgan Kukla of Zion-Benton on a perfect fall afternoon for golf. “I’m happy for everybody. I’m happy for our coach. I know she really wanted this. I’m glad we could pull through.”
Mundelein coach Barb Hartwig, whose nine-year-old program earned its first sectional berth last year, tweaked her lineup for the regional. She penciled in sophomore Megan Wiese, and the strategy paid off.
Wiese, playing in the No. 5 position, responded with a career-best 92, good for sixth place overall. She had earned medalist honors with a personal-best 95 in the North Suburban Conference Prairie-Lake JV tournament last week.
“I’m just improving a lot,” said Wiese, who played mainly JV matches this season.
Wiese shot a 43 on the front nine and a 49 on her final nine holes. She maintained her composure on the back nine despite hitting a pair of shots into the water.
“My drives and my fairway shots were very nice,” Wiese said. “My putting was off a little bit.
“For my first time at regionals, to shoot an 18-hole personal best, I think that’s very exciting for myself,” she added. “My coaches are thrilled.”
Libertyville freshman Simone Mikaelian continued her great season by finishing third with an 83, while Carmel sophomore lefty Kayla Ryan was fourth with an 86.
Ryan sank a 20-foot putt on the tricky 18th green for a bogey 5. She knew she needed the putt for a 40 on the back nine.
“I was so nervous about it,” Ryan said. “I always count my score.”
After shooting a 46 on the front nine, Carmel’s No. 1 was motivated.
“I think I just realized I needed to pick it up, especially for my team,” Ryan said. “I realized there was nothing I could do about the front nine, so I just figured I better pick it up.”
Ryan teed it up at Bonnie Brook in the sectional last year, but didn’t have a great day, as she shot a 102. She made amends Wednesday.
“I was definitely nervous going into it,” Ryan said.
Carmel also counted the rounds of sophomores Alexa Amato (94) and Eva Savovich (97) and senior Sophie Butz (102). A trio of Libertyville players — Emma Hoskins, freshman Megan Sturonas and Tressa Freberg — shot a 99. Mundelein received matching 95s from Cristina Loverde and Lorrielle Martin.
As the final handful of individual scores were being tabulated, Mundelen’s team anxiously waited for its championship hardware.
“I don’t know where it is, but it better be awesome,” Fabbri said, smiling.
“Maybe a cool vase or something — something crystal,” she added, joking.
Warren (391) finished fourth but advanced four players to the sectional. Going to Buffalo Grove for the Blue Devils are Erica Price (94), Izzy Cordova (95), Gabby Cordova (96) and Kelly Kaiser (106).
Neither Grayslake Central nor Grayslake North fielded a team, but both schools will be represented at the sectional. Grayslake Central advanced Shelby White (99), while moving on for Grayslake North are Ireland Dunne (104), Dhani McDowell (108) and Kara Ahlemeyer (112).