ESCC repeat for Viator girls

Not only did St. Viator repeat its East Suburban Catholic Conference girls golf title Thursday at Old Orchard Country Club in Mount Prospect, the Lions did it with an exclamation point.

Their score of 332 on the par-72 layout was 14 strokes better than a year ago when they shot a 346 to win the title on the same course.

The Lions' Kelly Sullivan took medalist honors with a 78, besting Marian Catholic's Bree Veazey by 4 strokes.

The Lions' Abby Dickey (84) was third while classmate Hallie Dunn (84) was fourth. Teammate Hailey Haworth placed sixth with an 86.

All four Lions are seniors.

"I will never forget these senior golfers," said St. Viator coach Mick Drewes. "They are a coaches' dream."

Sullivan's score was 2 strokes better than last year's conference champ Kaela Klune of St. Viator. It was the best 18-hole round of Sullivan's career.

"I felt confident in all our girls," Sullivan said. "We have all been working very hard and we think this is our time. We are ready for regionals next week (at Fox Run Golf Course in Elk Grove on Wednesday) and have been aiming all year to return to state as a team."

"I'm very proud of our team," added Dickey, also a four-year softball varsity starter. "We exceeded coach Drewes' goal and we are really looking forward to the regional at Fox Run."