Girls golf: Kinkel, shorthanded Wappingers overcome to win Mid-Hudson Regional title
It certainly was unnerving for the Wappingers girls golf team, having one of its leaders forced to withdraw with an injury before their biggest competition of the season thus far.
Kayla Kinkel would later admit that she and her teammates felt the “pressure” to compensate for the absence of Emma Mahoney, who tweaked a muscle during warmups.
There was some uneasiness in knowing that their quartet, without notice, would be a trio and the lowest score would not be dropped in the Mid-Hudson Regional Tournament.
“There were some nerves, but they knew they would be able to handle it,” Wappingers coach Mike Chiacchia said. “They understood the numbers they would need to make it happen, and they executed.”
And they won. Kinkel carded a 9-over 45 at Trump National Hudson Valley, leading Wappingers to victory in the five-team tournament Tuesday in Hopewell Junction.
The Warriors collectively shot a 147, finishing ahead of second place Arlington at 154, and claiming the regional title for a second straight season.
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“We all had one goal and that was to defend the trophy,” said Kinkel, a junior who posted her season-best score. “We needed to step up and play our best game, and we that’s what we did.”
Sophomore Kate Robisch had a 50 and Madison Townsend a 52 as Wappingers staved off Carmel, Yorktown and Our Lady of Lourdes. Arlington eighth-grader Caelyn Deserre, a budding star, shot a tournament-best 39. Teammate Sophia LaRue had a 57.
“The expectation was that we’re gonna show up and do well, but they were definitely excited,” Chiacchia said of his team’s reaction to winning. “They have fun and enjoy themselves, but they're competitive and know when it's time to turn it up. They spend hours each day, working to improve, and pushing each other to become the best version of themselves. We got it done collectively.”
Breleigh Cayea carded a 52, leading Carmel to third place with a combined score of 166. Isabella Cho of Lourdes had a 56, and Yorktown’s Ava Kelly shot a 57.
“We don’t think it’s a serious injury, but we erred on the side of caution and kept her out,” Chiacchia said of Mahoney, a senior. “But it’s absolutely encouraging seeing the way her teammates stepped up.”
The tournament was established last season with the purpose of having an event to showcase some of the rising teams in this area. Lourdes, despite its shift to Section 9 this school year, joined its former Section 1 mates in the competition.
Chiacchia thanked the private club for hosting them and said the event is indicative of the growth of girls golf locally.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Girls golf: Kinkel leads Wappingers in Mid-Hudson Regional tournament
