Boylan, Pair of 77s Highlight Girls Golf Regionals

Girls Golf Regional tournaments took place for area teams and individuals on Wednesday, Oct. 5. In each regional the top three teams, and top ten golfers not on the top three teams, advance to the sectional round.

Four area teams took top honors at regional tournaments. Byron won its home Class A Regional, Sterling won the Class A Aquin Regional, Prophetstown tied with Rockridge in winning the Class A Geneseo Regional, and Boylan won the Class AA Belvidere North Regional.

Boylan, who collectively shot a 346 to lead area teams on the afternoon, were led by Melissa Vansistine's 80. Also qualifying for the sectional round from the Regional were Hononegah, whose 370 was led by Lindsay Muenchow's second-place 77 (co-leading all area golfers on the day), and Freeport, whose 411 was led by Korine Dodson's 92.

Somonauk's Jessica Schultz also led all area golfers in regional play with a winning 77 at the Class A Wheaton Academy Regional. Somonauk as a team had the best score of the area teams involved in the Regional with a 405, but failed to make the sectional cut by one team stroke.

At the Byron Regional, the host Tigresses collectively shot a 385 to win. Christian Life's Abbey Sullivan was the leading golfer with a 82. Also qualifying for the sectional round were Lutheran, whose 394 was led by Bailey Peck's 84, and Marengo, whose 400 was led by Danielle Tucker's 85.

Sterling, facing smaller postseason competition this year than in years past due to recent classification changes, won the Aquin Regional with a team score of 417. Aquin's Kayla Harn topped all golfers with an 80. Sterling's effort was led by Karlie Mellott's second-place 84. Rock Falls finished second as a team with a 464, led by Kara Nehrkorn's 107. Lena-Winslow finished third with a 481, with Callie Raders leading the Panthers with a 104. Polo's Alina Llanas was third individually with an 86.

Prophetstown and Rockridge wound up in a tie for top honors at Geneseo with scores of 372, and both will claim regional titles. The Prophets were led by identical scores of 89 from Annie Sandrock and Lindsey Inskeep. Geneseo, also facing smaller postseason competition this year, also qualified as a team with a team score of 378 with Allison Farrell's 78 topping all golfers in the field. Erie's Taylor Stewart was second among area golfers at the Regional with an 85.

Moline and Rock Island will send teams to the sectional level in Class AA competition. At the Rock Island Regional, the Maroons finished in second place with a 350, while the Rocks came in third with a 372. Moline was led by Emily Thomas's 81, while Rock Island was led by Lauren Enstrom's 82.

St. Bede will also be sending its team to the sectional level. At the Bishop McNamara Regional in Kankakee, the Bruins placed third as a team with a 412 with Barbie Prokup's 93 leading the way.

During competition at the Class AA Burlington Central Regional, Sycamore's Carly Hudon was the best area golfer, shooting a 78.

During competition at the Class AA Naperville Neuqua Valley Regional, Yorkville's Kaity Anderson was the best area golfer, shooting a 91.

Sectionals will take place on Monday, with the exception of golfers from Kaneland, Sycamore and Yorkville teeing off on Tuesday. Elgin Westminster and Macomb will host area Class A Sectionals on Monday. Buffalo Grove and Mattoon will host area Class AA Sectionals on Monday, with Chicago St. Ignatius hosting Tuesday's sectional at Lemont's Cog Hill.

-Cody