Girls golf: Smith's surge helps Barrington to runner-up repeat
For the second straight fall, Barrington took second place in the Class 2A state girls golf meet.
And the Fillies even had the second-place finisher in the individual competition.
Sophomore Caroline Smith, who was 14th as a freshman, fired a 2-under par 70 at Hickory Point Golf Club in Decatur on Saturday to finish with a two-day score of 145, 1 stroke behind champion Penelope Tir of New Trier, who shot a 71 for a 144.
New Trier (603), which led Barrington by 10 strokes after Friday's round, won by that same margin as the Fillies (613) were followed by Hinsdale Central (619) was St. Charles North fourth (625).
"It's a dream come true because so many of our players were returning here from last year," said Fillies Hall of Fame coach Jodi Schoeck, who now has two second-place state finishes and one third in her 31 seasons. "Our two scores of 70s (Smith and freshman Stephanie Su) were amazing (tied for best of the day with junior Brianna Bolden of Lincoln-Way Central).
"All our girls really dedicated themselves in the off season."
Smith and Tir, who played together on both days, were tied after 34 holes in a dramatic finish.
Tir dropped in a 17-foot birdie putt on No. 17 that proved to be the difference.
"It was amazing as everyone was done with their rounds and said 'Here come Caroline and Penelope' and they came out to watch the final hole," Schoeck said. "For her second shot, Caroline hit a one-in-a-million shot through the trees and left it just a little deep on the green. She just missed the putt for birdie."
Tir made her par putt and earned the tense 1-stroke win. Smith ended up tying for second with Bolden.
"I was so impressed with how Caroline was in control of her game and her emotions all weekend," Schoeck said.
"Penelope played really well," Smith said of the Trevians' junior. "It came down to that birdie on No. 17.
"It's a good feeling knowing I came back with a better score today (after a 73 on Friday). It makes me really happy."
Smith said a 25-foot birdie putt that she made on No. 8 boosted her game.
"I wasn't hitting the ball that well until then," she said. "But making that putt motivated me to keep making those putts."
Smith did, including a chip-in for birdie on No. 12.
"It was a great day," Smith said. "We worked hard and I think we deserved this."
Barrington freshman Stephanie Su turned in an all-state performance in her introduction to the state tourney.
Su tied for 10th with Buffalo Grove senior Haeri Lee.
"Stephanie has been a pivotal player for us the last couple of weeks," Schoeck said. "She has matured as a golfer and really understands her role on team."
Su's round of 70 gave her a 149 to tie with Lee, who shot a 76.
Juniors Nicole Ciskowski and Olivia Lee both shot 80 to complete the Fillies' runner-up score card.
"I'm really happy for the whole team," Su said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It's just great teammates. Whenever we see each other between holes, we are always cheering each other on, even if we are down."
Lee's all-state performance is the third in Buffalo Grove history. Grace Kil was a three-time all-stater (2010 to 2012) and Shannon Bryne earned that distinction in 1999.
"Haeri showed a lot of maturity on the golf course," said BG coach Matt Myers. "She really battled through her round today and made some big putts when she needed them. We are unbelievably happy for her to be an all-stater."
Other Mid-Suburban League state competitors were Schaumburg senior Trinity Corwin (151), who tied for 14th with Wheeling junior Adrienne Rohwedder, Palatine senior Jenny Myslinski (75 on Saturday for a 157) and Conant senior Lina Jang (188).
Class 1A: St. Viator (175 over par) placed 10th at the Red Trail Run Golf Course in Decatur. Metropolis Massac County) won with a score of 89 over par.
Leading the Lions was freshman Cate Reisinger (16-over par for two rounds), who tied for 10th after shooting an 82 on Saturday.
Completing the Lions' score was sophomore Madeline Sebastian (47 over), freshman Paige Klostermann (56 over) and junior Caroline Lavender (57 over).