Girls golf: St. Charles North leads after 1st day at state

After a blistering start, St. Charles North Duke-bound senior Megan Furtney cooled considerably on her back nine at Hickory Point in first-round action of the Class 2A girls state golf tournament on Friday in Forsyth.

But Furtney still managed one of only two under-par rounds on the par-72 layout.

Taking full advantage of a front-side 4-under 32, Furtney fired a 71 to anchor the North Stars, who will enter the final round with an 11-shot lead over Loyola (318).

"I was able to hit some wedges to a close distance and make birdies," Furtney said of her opening nine.

The North Stars' 307 total was completed with contributions from Western Kentucky-bound Sarah Arnold (77), Katelyn David (78) and Catie Nekola (81).

Furtney trails Midwest and national rival Lauren Beaudreau by 4 shots; the Notre Dame-bound senior from Benet was 5-under on her inward nine for a 67.

"We're not trying to get too far ahead of ourselves," Furtney said. "We want to have the mindset that we are chasing someone. We're not playing for ourselves."

But it was an entirely different story at the boys three state tournaments in Bloomington-Normal.

Inclement weather canceled first-day play for all three divisions, forcing a single-round conclusion on Saturday.