Kaneland's Guyton climbs back into contention
FORSTYTH -- Hayley Guyton accomplished her mission.
After coming within a shot of missing out on the Class AA girls state golf tournament, the reigning state runner-up is back in the hunt for another shot at a top finish in the two-day finals.
The Kaneland senior, making her fourth consecutive appearance at the 36-hole tournament as an at-large contender, played Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, just north of Decatur, in 3-over-par on Friday afternoon.
The resulting 75, which included an outward-nine 35, placed Guyton in a tie for sixth with Buffalo Grove sophomore Grace Kil.
“I knew I could shoot low here, but I didn't know how low, said Guyton, who lived in the area before moving to Sugar Grove prior to her freshman year. “I just wanted to be in the top 10.
Stevenson sophomore Stephanie Miller had 5 birdies in her tournament-low round of 69, giving her a 2-shot lead over Homewood-Flossmoor Notre Dame-bound star Ashley Armstrong.
Guyton, beginning her round on the back nine, had a pair of birdies in making her opening-round statement.
“The first nine was perfect, Guyton said. “The back nine, I had a little problem with my putter. I had a couple of 3-putts, but I finished strong with a birdie and par.
“I thought (Guyton) played fantastic today, Kaneland coach Mark Meyer said. “She played a great practice round (on Thursday) to give her confidence for today.
Guyton secured the final berth out of the Nazareth sectional on Monday.
St. Francis' Kayla Stueland was also seeking a third straight top performance at state.
The Geneva resident made the turn in 2-over 38 behind a brilliant putting exhibition and held her round together on the back side with a 40 to shoot an overall 78, joining a seven-way logjam in 16th position.
“I was feeling confident going to the first hole, Stueland said. “I made some needed putts. I think the length made (Hickory Point) more difficult (than the site at Carbondale the last two years).
St. Charles East senior Nicole Rae, also making her third career start at state and paired with Stueland, was disappointed with her 86.
Rae played the last two years as a central contributor on the Saints' team-qualifying squads.
“I just couldn't hit the ball at all today, Rae said.
Batavia junior Kayla Lehman fired a 90 in her debut at state.
Three shots separate as many schools in the team competition.
Heavily favored Homewood-Flossmoor, the defending champion, trails New Trier 311-313, with Hinsdale Central at 314.
Ÿ At the boys Class 3A tournament at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, St. Charles East faltered down the stretch to fall out of contention.
The Saints' 330 on the par-72 Arnold Palmer-designed course left the squad in 10th place, 24 shots behind first-day leader Lake Forest.
None of the Saints' six players was able to break 80.
Jon Woods' 80 was followed by 82s from Wisconsin-bound Jordan Wetsch and Nate Esler.
Nick Maze fired an 86 to complete the Saints' scoring.
Geneva senior Andrew Cisco was among the early leaders with his front-nine 37, but the state rookie came home in 40 to forge a large tie at 15th.