Girls golf: Burlington Central claims FVC title

Crystal Lake Central co-op's Renata Petersen described the unpredictable winds and sudden downpours at Wednesday's Fox Valley Conference Tournament at Crystal Woods as, "probably some of the worst conditions I have ever experienced in my entire (golf) career."

With tough conditions leading to higher scores for almost everybody, Petersen was happy to come away relatively dry and with all of her gear.

"One thing I did notice is that I played the entire round with one ball," Petersen said. "I didn't lose any balls, which is amazing because the wind was howling."

Petersen, by the way, still had a big day.

For the second straight year, Petersen took medalist honors with an 83 and ended the regular season as the FVC points champion, which combines dual meets and conference tournament finishes.

Petersen outlasted Burlington Central's Emily Koh (84) by a shot for first overall, while Koh's Rockets won their first FVC championship in program history, defeating Huntley by 14 shots.

Burlington posted a score of 347, Huntley (361) placed runner-up and McHenry (414) was third. Central co-op (419) was fourth, followed by Prairie Ridge (423), Jacobs (432), Hampshire (439) and Dundee-Crown (448).

The Rockets posted four of the top-10 scores overall. Maya Gusciora carded an 85, Kelsey O'Connor had an 87 and Teagan O'Connor chipped in a 91.

"It's pretty big to show people we can compete, and we can do well," Burlington coach Kyle Nelson said. "We put four great rounds together today, and that's something that just hasn't happened this year.

"Getting four was awesome."

Huntley, last year's FVC champion, went into the conference tournament with a perfect record in FVC duals.

Burlington won the tournament and passed the Red Raiders for first in the conference standings.

"This was one of our goals last year, to win conference," Kelsey O'Connor said. "We came close last year, so it's really exciting."

"This is something we've been working hard for," Koh added.

Prairie Ridge's Elizabeth Tucker was one of the seven golfers to shoot in the 80s.

Golfers had a 30-minute break about midway through their rounds because of a lightning delay.

"The wind was a big factor," said Tucker, who tied for fourth and was runner-up in the FVC points standings behind Petersen. "I had some uncharacteristic chipping shots today. I think the break messed with everybody's head, including mine. You just mentally had to get back in the game."

Petersen hopes conditions will be much more comfortable at next week's Class 2A Wauconda Regional at Prairie Isle in Crystal Lake.

"I know we're probably not going to have state tournament this year, which is something I was really looking forward to because it's my last year and I've never qualified," Petersen said. "They haven't ruled it out, but they haven't told us either way. Right now, I'm just focused on regionals."

Huntley's Nina Shaffer (88) and Molly Baker (89) finished sixth and seventh, respectively. McHenry's Madison Donovan (90) and Huntley's Lorelei Oomens (90) tied for eighth.

Huntley's Aubrey Dingbaum 94 took 11th, Burlington's Emily Ahlers (95) was 12th, Prairie Ridge's Ellie King (96) was 13th and Huntley's Kendall Krich (97) was 14th.

Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament

at Crystal Woods in Woodstock, par 72

Medalist: Renata Petersen (CLC) 83

Team scores: 1. Burlington Central 347, 2. Huntley 361, 3. McHenry 414, 4. Crystal Lake Central co-op 419, 5. Prairie Ridge 423, 6. Jacobs 432, 7. Hampshire 439, 8. Dundee-Crown 448

Top-14 individuals: 1. Renata Petersen (CLC) 83, 2. Emily Koh (BC) 84, 3. Maya Gusciora (BC) 85, T4. Elizabeth Tucker (PR), Kelsey O'Connor (BC) 87, 6. Nina Shaffer (Hunt) 88, 7. Molly Baker (Hunt) 89, T8. Lorelei Oomens (Hunt), Madison Donovan (McH), 90, 10. Teagan O'Connor (BC) 91, 11. Aubrey Dingbaum (Hunt) 94, 12. Emily Ahlers (BC) 95, 13. Ellie King (PR) 96, 14. Kendall Krich (Hunt) 97

All-conference: Renata Petersen (CLC), Elizabeth Tucker (PR), Emily Koh (BC), Kelsey O'Connor (BC), 5. Lorelei Oomens (Hunt), 6. Madison Donovan (McH), Maya Gusciora (BC), Molly Baker (Hunt), Nina Shaffer (Hunt), Jordan Miller (Jac), Aubree Lundin (McH), Ellie King (PR), Teagan O'Connor (BC), Emily Ahlers (BC), Kendall Krich (Hunt), Julia Bachta (Hamp), Aubree Dingbaum (Hunt), Maisie McNamee (Hamp)

Burlington Central (347): Emily Koh 84, Maya Gusciora 85, Kelsey O'Connor 87, Teagan O'Connor 91

Huntley (361): Nina Shaffer 88, Molly Baker 89, Lorelei Oomens 90, Aubrey Dingbaum 94

McHenry (414): Madison Donovan 90, Aubree Lundin 102, Ashley Wachter 107, Gracie Gasmann 115

Crystal Lake Central co-op (419): Renata Petersen 83, Addison Cleary 110, Abby Rubsam 112, Nevin Runge 114

Prairie Ridge (423): Elizabeth Tucker 87, Ellie King 96, Abby Kay 120, Kaylin Justes 120

Jacobs (432): Jordan Miller 98, Autumn Kovach 103, Lana Tousey 113, Brooklyn Krahl 118

Hampshire (439): Julia Bachta 105, Hannah Musiak 108, Maisie McNamee 113, Lily Farnam 113, Annika Salvaggio 113

Dundee-Crown (448): Ashley McAtee 108, Magen Laas 111, Sonora Rodriguez 113, Lydia Rodriguez 116