Girls golf: Stevenson experiences familiar feeling at state with runner-up finish

For the third time in four years, Stevenson's girls golf team brought home the second-place trophy from the Class 2A state finals at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur.

Coach Emma Deegan's Patriots, led by sophomore Ava Alimissis' seventh-place finish 2-over 146, had a two-day total of 608, falling short of only defending champion Glenbrook North, which came in with a nine-over par 585.

Completing the Patriots scorecard were sophomore Campbell Ray (152, tie for 15th), junior Sophia Jeong (155, tie for 22nd) and sophomore Victoria Shao (146, 24th).

“Hat's off to Glenbrook North,” Deegan said. “They put together two impressive rounds. We had a mix of emotions after day one. Some of our kids really stepped up and played their best golf to keep us in second place. We wish we could've kept it closer on day one.

“Ava played such a steady game both days for her to finish seventh was a testament to the work. She has put in both physically and mentally this year. Campbell put together another two solid rounds at Hickory point but unfortunately fell just short of a top 10 finish. I'm so proud of our team. I don't know for sure, but I believe that is our second best one day score at the state. I think our best day is a 298 and that's when we won state in 2019 and all six kids were in the 70s. Shout out to Allyson Duan who finished her career on a high note with a 78.”

Hinsdale Central (620), led by senior Elysa Abdulla (145, tie for sixth), took third followed by Barrington (632) and Lincoln Way East (649). Rounding out the top ten were O'Fallon (670), St. Charles North (676), Edwardsvile (683) and Plainfield North (684).

Glenbrook North took the top two spots in the individual competition with junior Martha Kuwahara (139, -5) taking the title over senior teammate Alexis Myers (141, -3).

Right behind was Buffalo Grove junior Courtney Beerheide, who shot a 143 (-1) for third place. Beerheide was 18th as a freshman and fourth last fall. Barrington sophomore Reese Wallace took fourth with an even par 144.

"I finished the season strong which is what I was looking for," Beerheide said. “I still have next year. I didn't play the way I wanted (Saturday) but I'm still happy with the result and I still have next year."

"She tied for the lowest round in IHSA history (67) on Friday and she had the low round in the tourney last year (her 69 was then only score below 70), so that is pretty impressive," said Bison coach Jeff Grybash,. "This season was much more of a challenge for her so to finish like this is really a testament to her maturity. I'm extremely proud of her journey this season."

In her state debut, Conant freshman Madeline Gutierrez finished with a 148 (+4) to tie for ninth with senior Kacie Moon of Glenbrook North.

"This is a nice confidence boost," said Gutierrez, whose brother Anthony, a senior at Conant, tied for 35th place in the boys state final on Saturday. "I never looked at what place I was in. I just focused on the hole I was playing and my next shot. My irons were probably my best clubs both days. They were really accurate and I had a lot of nice shots with them."

Cougars coach Megan Hebert said it was the best state effort for a Conant girl since 2008 and 2009 state champion Kris Woo Lee, now the head coach at Rolling Meadows.

"We're thrilled for Madeline to finish in the top ten as a freshman," Hebert said. "It was awesome. We came in with no expectations and on the first day she was on fire (4 birdies). She had only one chip all day and hit the green on all the rest. She played solid (Saturday) and had to par the last three holes to make the top ten. We didn't tell her that. We just said keep getting pars."

Lee watched her sophomore Jennifer March tie for 15th with Fremd's Keira Brazeau, Downers Grove North's Lexi Fertig and Campbell. They all shot 152.

"Jennifer came down to state ready to play," Lee said. "She started the tournament with back-to-back birdies but did not make as many birdies as she had hoped for. However, she stayed patient and composed throughout both days. This was a good learning experience for her as she has lots more golf left in her career."

Barrington's fourth-place finish gave the Fillies an eighth straight trophy finish.

"This was a fantastic weekend of golf for us and I am just so proud of my team," said Fillies coach Tim Martin. "With four new varsity starters this team was determined to maintain our tradition of excellence and they did not disappoint."

Wallace earned all state honors for the second straight year after winning the Mid-Suburban meet, regional and sectional.

"To follow that up with a fourth-place finish in the state tournament is truly remarkable," Martin said. "Reese always rises to the occasion in the biggest events and her consistent excellence was inspiring."

Fillies sophomore Teagan Carden paced 36th.

"She is one of the most improved players I have coached," Martin said. "She played brilliant golf this weekend. She is so long off the tee and her short game is also really special. Teagan consistently pulled off some incredible shots this weekend that take real talent to complete."

"Olivia Yoon (sophomore) also put her talents on full display in her first state tournament. She has worked incredibly hard to improve her game and has made huge strides across the board. Praise Shim (senior) capped off her career with a great state tournament. Her 78 in the first round put us right in the hunt for a strong finish, and her senior leadership was vital for this team. Annie Carden is one of the hardest workers I have coached, and her hard work paid off with a clutch 81 in the first round to tie for our third score. Annie has great course management and really knows how to think her way around the course. I am so excited to see what she can do this off-season to get ready for her senior season. Kalena Lee played in her second straight state tournament for us, and was great. She shot a 39 on the back nine on day one to really get us going, and her calm, steady demeanor really helped us just not this weekend, but all year. I appreciate all of the effort she put into her golf game, and it was great to see her finish off her senior season by playing great here at Hickory Point. This was a special season for us and I want to thank all of our parents and our school community for their immense support."

Boys state: HInsdale Central won the Class 3A state crown at the Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington with a 588 (+ 12) score to edge Evanston and New Trier.

The Red Devils' senior Dru Devata tied for third (141, -3) while Wheaton Warrenville South senior Charlie Gilligan was sixth (144). Other top ten area finishers were Barrington senior Willam Lange (145, tie for seventh), Hinsdale Central freshman MIchael Jorski (145, tied for seventh), Wheaton Warrenville senior Callan Fahey (146) and Benet senior Charles Davenport (147).

In Class 2A, Marquette-bound Regan Konen defended his title with a score of 140 (-2) at the Weibring Golf Club in Normal.He won a three-way playoff over Ben Patel and Owen Coniaris of Wheaton Academy.

St Viator's Ryan Kalaway (145 took fifth place and Lakes' Brady Cross (151) was 13th.

With a 36-hole total of 41-over-par 609 on a summery day, Ottawa scored a seven-stroke victory over the Benton Rangers. Burlington Central, at 52-over 620, took third place, the Rockets’ first trophy in golf.

Burlington Central was almost as much a surprise to take third as Ottawa was to win it all. The Rockets were paced by junior Tyler Samaan, who chopped 10 strokes off his Friday 80 with a closing 1-under 70, a round featuring four birdies. The aggregate of 8-over 150 tied him for 11th.

“We won conference for the first time, then sectional, now this,” Samaan said. “It’s pretty cool. We were hoping for first place, but you can’t always get that.

“It’s just a starting point for me. I can build off this for the rest of the year, some IJGA and AJGA tournaments.”

– Tim Cronin of Shaw Local News Network contributed