Score suffers, but not Kochevar's integrity
FORSYTH -- Brooke Kochevar could have taken the easy route.
But the Glenbard West junior, making her third straight Class AA girls golf state finals appearances, has too much respect for the game.
Kochevar, after apparently making a charge for the individual lead with a back-nine birdie in opening-round play at Hickory Point Golf Club on Friday afternoon, instead called a 1-shot penalty on herself for double-hitting her conversion.
Instead of being level par after 12 holes, Kochevar remained at 1-over and bogeyed her next four holes to fall out of top contention.
“I was happy until that unlucky hole, I guess, said Kochevar, who settled for a 77, good or a three-way tie for 13th-place tie, after opening-day action. “I was in mid-stroke, and the ball moved back. I made it for birdie but then par with the penalty.
“The girls in her group didn't know it happened, Glenbard West coach Sarah Jung said. “Nobody even saw it. That's just the kind of awesome kid she is.
St. Francis' Kayla Stueland is also making her third consecutive trip to the two-day tournament as an at-large qualifier, and the senior used a hot putter on her opening nine holes to put herself in prime position for another top-16 finish.
“I was feeling confident going to the first hole, said Stueland, who toured the front nine in 38 behind a sizzling putter. “I made some needed putts. On the back they just weren't dropping.
Stueland is in a large logjam at 16th position.
The presumed coronation of defending champion Homewood-Flossmoor will have to wait at least a day.
New Trier took a slender lead in a tight-as-a-drum team race as the Trevians--at 311--lead H-F by two with Hinsdale Central lurking at 314.
“This is neutral territory down here, Hinsdale Central coach Janelle Marconi said.
On Monday H-F was collectively under par in turning back the Devils, who fired a school-record 297.
Danielle Brown and Erin Ahern paced the Devils' opening-round, third-place showing with matching 76s.
Waubonsie Valley senior Cherise Mangal has had her career-long dream fulfilled even before teeing off.
“I have always said that my main goal was to go downstate, Mangal said after posting an 84.
Naperville Central senior Carolyn Wong was one higher in her state debut.
“I was kind of disappointed with how I played today, Wong said. “(My score) could have been even better. There's always tomorrow.
Naperville Central junior Sarah DeGeter posted an 88, and Waubonsie Valley senior Maggie Miklasz had a 95.
Angela DiFiglio (85) and Jessica Sachs (89) were the first multiple state qualifiers in Hinsdale South history.