Girls golf: St. Charles North takes 4th at state
DECATUR - Like three other players, Megan Furtney had to sleep on the share of the Class 2A girls golf state tournament on Friday night.
"I tried to treat it like it was any other round," Furtney said. "I just tried to go out hole by hole."
But just like a year ago on the final day of the season, contested at Hickory Point in Forsyth, Furtney and her St. Charles North teammates had to settle for less than their sterling regular-season accomplishments.
Furtney was all-state for a third consecutive season, but the North Stars' three-year stalwart - who has committed to Duke University - finished tied for eighth with Sarah Hauenstein, an Illinois recruit from defending state champion Wheaton Warrenville South.
Penelope Tir led New Trier to the team title with a medalist level-par 144. The Trevians turned back Barrington by 10 shots with their 603 two-day total.
One shot behind Barrington for second entering the day, the North Stars were denied a trophy for a second straight season with a fourth-place 625.
Hinsdale Central reduced its first-day team score from 314 to 305 to earn third for a second straight year with a 619.
"As a team, we are a little disappointed," Furtney said. "We were in a good position (after Friday)."
Fellow St. Charles North juniors Sarah Arnold, Emma Hayes and Katelyn David had respective second-day rounds of 76, 80 and 80.
"It kind of feels the same as last year," Arnold said of leaving Hickory Point without a team trophy. "I was consistent (this weekend), but I couldn't make any birdie putts. I parred 14 of the 18 holes (Saturday). I am getting better here."
Arnold finished in a tie for 23rd with her 153 total.
Geneva senior Darby Lillibridge, making a second consecutive state championship, had the same score - along with Lake Park regional and sectional champion Nicole Hansen - with her rounds of 79 and 74.
"I didn't have a good showing last year, so it was important for me to come back," said Lillibridge, who will continue her career at Hamden, Conn.-based Quinnipiac, a Division I program. "I hung with it when I had a bad shot or a bad hole. I had a lot of birdies today. I ended my high school career with a birdie."
Lone local Waubonsie Valley sectional advancer Madi McCoy of Batavia also had her career come to a close.
The Bulldogs' senior narrowly missed top-30 status with twin rounds of 78.
Crystal Lake sophomore Molly Lyne fired a 74 and 76 in a bid for a repeat all-state weekend in finishing tied for 12th.
At the Class 1A tournament in Decatur, Jordan Mattas, a St. Edward senior, was top 30 with scores of 85 and 82.
Elgin Academy qualifier Neha Karna had a 169.