Crystal Lake co-op runs away with McHenry title
The recipe for success for the Crystal Lake Central co-op girls golf team has been concocted with the right mix of players from three high schools.
But it was also clear the Tigers have blended more than just their solid golf talents after their six players finished in the top 11 spots. They shot 304 and cruised to the McHenry County Girls Golf Tournament title at Boone Creek Golf Club in Bull Valley on Tuesday afternoon.
“I love my team,” said Brianna DiGrazia, a senior from Crystal Lake South who finished fourth with an 81. “I wouldn’t change teams for anything. We have so much fun and everybody gets along well.
“Whether you are having a bad day or a good day, somebody is there to pick you up.”
It’s safe to say there were plenty of good days for the Tigers as they finished 53 shots ahead of runner-up Richmond-Burton. Senior Lexi Harkins, the only player from CL Central, eagled the 10th hole en route to a 1-under-par 70 and medalist honors.
Taking second and fifth respectively were Cary-Grove juniors Larisa Luloff with 74 and Emily Jean with 83. CL South seniors Alex Siavelis (86) and Bailey Bostler (89) finished eighth and 11th respectively.
“We’re all improving and playing well and we definitely have a chance to go to state,” said the North Carolina-bound Harkins.
“We’re up and down but when we have our on days, we’re pretty on and can go pretty low,” Luloff said. “If we want to get to state or sectionals, we have to be on and I feel confident we’ll get there when we need to.”
Harkins’ eagle came when she reached a par-5 green in two and made a 25-foot putt.
“I played pretty well and my putting was probably my strongest point today,” Harkins said.
Luloff said some struggles with her approach shots kept her from matching a 73 a few weeks ago at Boone Creek.
“I know I could have done a little better today ... but I’m happy with it,” Luloff said. “A 74, I’ll take that any day.”
Marian Central was third with 382 and Sophia Archos took third with 81. Huntley was fourth at 386 as junior Gillian Young grabbed the 12th and final medal with a 91.
“It totally caught me off guard because I didn’t think I was going to place from how everyone else was playing,” Young said. “I was surprised but at least I placed, which I’m OK with.
“I started off fantastic (43 front nine) and I was really happy with how I was playing, but toward the end I started to do a little worse than that.”
Zoe Dowell added a 93 for Huntley. Jacobs was seventh as Julia Beaugureau shot 95 and Prairie Ridge took sixth with Brooke Johnson shooting 84 to also finish sixth.