St. Charles East wins regional title
Kate VenHorst had impeccable timing at the Class AA St. Charles East regional at St. Andrews in West Chicago on Wednesday afternoon.
The St. Charles East senior had the round of her competitive career, a 6-over-par 77, to finish solo second place and propel the Saints to their third consecutive girls golf regional title.
“(VenHorst) hasn't been as good this year as she could have been, St. Charles East coach Rod Osborne said. “I always tell the kids to save your best round for when it counts. (Her performance) really helped us to the championship.
The Saints' 330 collective showing enabled the squad to extend its quest for a third straight state appearance.
St. Charles East, Batavia (333) and Wheaton Warrenville South (336) advanced to the Nazareth sectional in Oak Brook on Monday.
St. Francis (358) and St. Charles North (361) failed to advance but both had a pair of individuals make the sectional field as at-large qualifiers.
The VenHorst runner-up round was a revelation to the Saints' third-rated player.
“I have never shot below 80 before, VenHorst said. “My driver saved me. It certainly wasn't my putting (VenHorst had more putts than strokes, 39-38). My driver was my problem child (before today). It's a lot better now.
St. Charles East senior anchor Nicole Rae had an outward-nine 38 before coming home in 42 to post the Saints' second-lowest round.
“I really wanted to shoot in the mid-70s, but 80 is just all right, Rae said. “I didn't play well at all.
Paige Jordan (84) and Jane Noelker (89) rounded out the Saints' scoring.
Tara Cullerton is in a customary place for this time of the year.
Batavia had its two-year regional run end, but Cullerton once again propelled the squad to the team sectional with a solid performance.
The junior authored composite nine-hole rounds of 40-39 to finish fourth overall.
“Our main goal for the day was to advance, Cullerton said. “There were a lot of tough teams here. I'm happy with the score, but I'm not too happy with the way I played. My putting saved me.
Kayla Lehman had an 81 to finish seventh overall, and the Bulldogs' runner-up total was completed by Megan Ramp (84) and Kaitlyn Czerwinski (89).
Hayley Guyton and Kayla Stueland were far from satisfied with their rounds, but the two seniors continue in their quest for a fourth consecutive state appearance.
Guyton, the reigning state runner-up from Kaneland, and St. Francis' Stueland struggled uncharacteristically with various aspects of their games in firing respective rounds of 80 and 82.
“I know what I need to work on this weekend, Guyton said after her short game played havoc with her typical brilliance. “My putting wasn't very good. It was frustrating.
The talented duo will be joined by medalist Ariana Furrie as at-large contenders.
The St. Charles North top gun played her opening 10 holes with level-par results, and the sophomore won her second tournament in as many outings at St. Andrews with a 3-over 74.
But the North Stars were 32 shots higher than their victorious Upstate Eight Conference meet.
“I didn't expect that, especially because we have been playing so well, Furrie said. “I had a few shots that weren't so good that come out of nowhere. But I made up for them.
Senior captain KK Barr snared the final individual berth for St. Charles North with a two-hole playoff triumph over St. Francis' Sarah Pinns.
“I'm really glad I got a second chance, Barr said.
Geneva freshman Abby Luchtenburg was the final local qualifier with an 82.
WW South four-year starter Sarah Skurla could be excused for having difficulties on St. Andrews' famously undulating greens.
“I was seeing two balls on a lot of holes, Skurla said.
But the Tigers' senior standout persevered with her case of suspected mononucleosis to gut out a heroic 83 to led WW South in its bid for a third straight team berth to the state finals.
“I really didn't know if I could (complete the round) or not, Skurla said. “I just tried to finish one hole at a time and finish it.
WW South was also aided by Emily Johnson, who fired an outward-nine 37 to flavor her round of 83.
“My drives on the short par-4s really helped, said the long-hitting WW South junior. “I didn't have much left (for my approach shots).
Renee Solberg furthered the WW South cause with an 85, matched by junior Ayomide Coker to complete the Tigers' collective scorecard.
“(Coker) is the hardest worker on the team, WW South coach Art Tang said. “It's nice to see positive results from all of her hard work.
St. Francis' Meg Van Thournout was the leader in the clubhouse for much of the day.
The junior ultimately settled for third place with her 78.
Wheaton North had a pair of at-large qualifiers; senior Natalie Kinsey made her second straight sectional field with her 87, while junior Hillary Barry had 2 shots to spare with a 92.
West Chicago, Lake Park and Glenbard North failed to advance any individuals.
Sam Coyne used course familiarity and confidence gained from a personal-low performance at the Upstate Eight Conference championship last week to land a second attempt at another state appearance.
The Bartlett junior overcame a near-disastrous opening nine-hole stretch with a much-needed birdie on No. 11 to advance with an 85.
“I live like two minutes away from (St. Andrews), Coyne said. “I play here a lot.
The five South Elgin underclassmen who constitute the remainder of the coop with Bartlett all failed to break 100.
But the Larkin-Elgin coop received an equally compelling qualifying-round by sophomore Alison Smith, who advanced with an 86.