Waubonsie makes 4th consecutive sectionals
The saga of Michelle Meifert took yet another unexpected turn on Wednesday afternoon, and the Waubonsie Valley girls golf team is riding her inspirational play once again.
The Warriors' senior, who returned last week after missing the bulk of the season convalescing from emergency surgery, was in a bit of a golfing pickle after opening the Class AA Neuqua Valley regional at Naperbrook Golf Course in Plainfield with a front-side 50.
"The front nine, I was all over the place," Meifert said. "I couldn't get a grip on anything."
The inward nine was an entirely different story, however, as Meifert authored a level-par 36 -- the lowest nine-hole score by 2 strokes -- leading the Warriors' back-side collective charge that paved the way for their fourth consecutive sectional appearance as a team.
Hinsdale Central (327) was in a league of its own as the reigning state runners-up eased to the team crown behind the 76 from defending state champion Alex Lederhausen.
But it was the Warriors who garnered most of the attention in the aftermath of their scintillating back-nine performances.
"I think (the front-nine 50) had a lot to do with me overswinging," said Meifert, who had her second birdie on the 18th hole to cement her even-par side. "I went up a club on every shot, and it made it easier. Once I started swinging easier, the putting came with it."
Tory Blumenshine had an outward-nine 38 to flavor her 86, and the Warriors' fortunes were solidified when Caitlyn Miklasz toured the back in 2-over 38.
Miklasz had a team-low 82 to finish in a three-way tie for sixth individually, and the Warriors' entry to the Homewood-Flossmoor sectional on Monday became reality when Emily Densmore came home with a 90.
"I had another epiphany today," Miklasz said. "My chipping and putting really saved me today. I wasn't thinking about my score. I was just playing each hole one at a time."
"I was very pleased with the girls," said Waubonsie Valley coach Laura Jones. "They could have crumbled. The fact that (Meifert) was able to get her focus and composure back speaks a lot about her."
The Warriors' 344 total was 7 shots better than host Neuqua Valley, which secured the third and final team slot to Coyote Run in Flossmoor behind two-time state qualifier Hannah Buck.
The Wildcats' junior fired an 80 for fourth-place overall, and Cooper Shawen had a front-nine 41 to further aid the team with an 88.
Shana Patel and Chloe Nettleton rounded out the Wildcats' 351 with respective rounds of 90 and 93.
"(The girls) were not satisfied with their scores," said Neuqua Valley coach John Keller. "Moving on to the sectional is what is important."
Hinsdale South was fourth behind at-large qualifier Sandhya Ghai, who fired a fifth-place 81; Naperville North was in a favorable position at the turn, but the Huskies were one of several teams trampled by the Waubonsie Valley inward-nine express.
The squad did have sectional qualifiers in Amanda Bruski and Marissa Miko, while Sarah Gaspar also made the individual cut for Benet.
"Overall, I wasn't real happy with the way I played," said Gaspar, who fired an 89. "I was going for an 85."