Saints secure crown
Just five points separated the first and second place finishers Wednesday at the Class AA Naperville Central girls golf regional at Naperbrook Golf Course in Plainfield.
Just three points separated the third place team from the fourth place team - and only the top three teams advance to sectionals.
The field was that close, as St. Charles East pulled away the winners of what Naperville Central coach Jane Thompson called one very tough regional.
"We knew it was going to be this way," Thompson said. "We knew everyone coming into this as a team knew this is one of the hardest regionals to get out of... We all knew who the top two teams were (St. Charles East and Wheaton Warrenville South). That was fairly evident, but that third spot, on any given day, three teams could be there. On a day like today, (the competition) was outstanding."
St. Charles East led the way with 339. Wheaton Warrenville South placed second with 344 and St. Francis tallied 356. These teams qualified for sectional play at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago Monday.
St. Charles East was led by Jenny Niemiec (80), Rachael Edwards (83), Nicole Rae (86), Rebecca Norris (90) and Kathryn Belanger (105).
"Jenny and Rachael have been (Nos.) 1 and 2 all year and they are our leaders, so they got us off to a good start," St. Charles East coach Rod Osborne said. "Nicole shot her average today... so it's over, it's done and we advanced, which is the main thing. It's nice to see them still playing."
Medalist honors on the par-72 course went to St. Francis' Kayla Stueland, who shot a 78.
"I'm excited," Stueland said. "We had about the worst conditions (earlier in the day), which was windy, cold and wet, but you just have to hit low shots (and) keep it under the wind. It was tough reading the putts."
"Unbelievable," St. Francis coach Matt Walsh said of Stueland, a sophomore. "I'm really proud of her and the rest of the team. It was just a great day."
Other Spartan leaders were Lynn Dreisilker (87), Maggie Kilrea (92), Grace Pinns (99) and Meghan Van Thourn (104).
"It was unbelievable," Walsh said. "We were biting our nails waiting for that Naperville North score to come in, so it was a great day."
Host-Naperville Central was edged out in qualifying by a score of 359, followed by rival Naperville North (372). St. Charles North landed in the sixth overall spot with a score of 378.
Marin Beagley of St. Charles North advanced as an individual.
"It's exciting, but I really hoped to go with my team," said Beagley, who was the only player besides Stueland to score in the 70s with a 79. "I know we all didn't play our best today, but I am so proud of my team. Honestly, we've come a long way this season. I'm really happy to be a part of this team."