Hampshire's Ellett sisters make state

ROCKFORD Connie and Taylor Ellett of Hampshire almost had some company at this weekend's Class 2A girls golf state tournament.

Connie Ellett shot a 1-over-par 73 to finish second and Taylor was fifth with a 76 in Monday's Rockford Guilford sectional at Ingersoll Golf Course. They led Hampshire to a season-best 330 in its bid to earn one of the three team qualifying spots to Hickory Point Golf Course in downstate Forsyth.

But the Whip-Purs finished 4 shots behind the third-place Crystal Lake Co-op team. Prospect won the tourney at 315 and Highland Park was second at 319.

“We played as good as we could, said Connie Ellett, who finished 3 shots behind medalist Stephanie Miller of Stevenson. “We did great.

Jessie Van Dorin shot 87 to break 90 for the first time on the 5,460-yard course. Grace Jakubowski's 94 was 10 shots better than her regional score.

“I don't think we really could have played any better, Taylor Ellett said after qualifying for state for the fourth time. “(Van Dorin) was unbelievable out here. Connie played really solid and I played solid, too.

“I thought we came together as a team. Shooting 330 was awesome.

Connie Ellett, a junior who tied for 25th at state last year, had an eagle on the eighth hole and birdied two of the last three holes to make her second trip to state.

“I putted unbelievably, said Ellett, who made a 20-footer for birdie on the 18th. “I made a whole bunch of 5- to 10-footers.

“I hit the ball well. I didn't hit as many greens as I would have liked but I putted great.

Taylor Ellett got birdies on the par-5 sixth and eighth holes.

“I think I played really solid today, Ellett said. “I went out and played like a senior today.

“I didn't get down on myself if I hit a bad shot and I didn't get into trouble. I kept it in the fairway all day.

Ellett said she hit only two bad drives in her round. And she didn't let any bad shots get her down, which she said has been a focal point after finishing in a tie for 43rd at state last year.

Ellett also knows people view her fourth trip to state much differently from her first.

“Freshman year, everybody would say, ‘She's just a freshman, it's OK,' Ellett said. “Or if I messed up, ‘she's just a sophomore.' When you're a senior they're not going to say that to you.

“I'm going in (to state) with the same mindset I've had the last couple of rounds. Take it one shot at a time and stay positive out on the course.

“There's nothing wrong with my swing now. I have to keep my mind in it.

Freshman Lexi Harkins led the Crystal Lake Central Co-op with a 74 to tie for third with Prospect's Allison Walsh. Michelle Schoch shot 80 and Amalia Emma and Amanda Willis had 86 for Crystal Lake.