Takeaways from the IHSAA girls golf sectional at Fendrich
EVANSVILLE — Castle coach Luke Richison knew this season would be a slow burn.
The Knights had to replace four spots in the lineup from the best team in program history. A recipe for a rebuild. What has occurred over the last two weekends, particularly Saturday, showed something bigger.
The drive within the program still exists.
Castle claimed another sectional championship with a season-best 346 at Fendrich to best Mater Dei by five shots. Can’t say the fourth title in program history was expected going into the season.
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“The legacy last year’s team built,” said Richison. “Even though we didn’t return much of the same talent, the drive is still there. The new girls saw what the team accomplished. They want to do great things and put in a lot of work.”
The Knights’ title defense wasn’t the only significant result at Fendrich. Here were several takeaways from the opening round of the state tournament.
Castle has a legitimate state title contender
If putting together a list of the top players in the state, Ashley Kirkland has a case at number one.
The junior began her postseason with a 4-under 66 to earn sectional medalist honors for the second straight year. It doesn’t matter the course. Kirkland has delivered with her last four 18-hole scores totaling 19-under.
She hasn’t reached her full potential either. Kirkland made the turn at a respectable even-par 35, but the back nine at Fendrich didn’t stand a chance with birdies at 10, 13, 15 and 16. She had the low round by 12 shots.
“I’m just waiting for that round where I have everything on at 100 percent,” said Kirkland. “My mood changed (on the back). I was ready to get after it. I turned it on to make some birdies.”
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Calling Kirkland a title contender isn’t a stretch after finishing second last year at Prairie View. But her past month solidifies her standing. You’d be pressed to find many, if any, playing at a consistent, higher level right now.
“She’s striping it well,” said Richison. “Found something working and thrived on it. Having her up there, the rest of the team can play confident knowing she’s taking care of her business.”
Knights retooled to win back-to-back
One can’t stress how different this team looked from July.
Castle was one of the best in Indiana last season. Three graduated, and another moved out of state. There was no question the talent level, no matter how good at the top, changed year to year.
What the Knights have done is impressive. Their 373 to finish second in the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference meet at Helfrich was a season best. They beat it by 27 shots to start the postseason.
It helps having Kirkland set the tone. The rest of the new-look lineup still posted personal bests in the sectional: Leena Rice 83, Bayleigh Davis 98, Jenna Smith 99 and Emma Young 104.
“We’ve been working so hard all season to get everyone better,” said Kirkland. “I was just so shocked and happy. I just wanted to run over and start screaming. Pure joy.”
Mater Dei, Memorial delivered a positive showing
The champions weren’t the only ones who started strong. There were a trio of season team bests at the top of the standings.
Mater Dei came in second with a 351. It led most of the day, which included a slim two-shot lead at the turn. Grace Rohleder led the push with an 80 followed by Katelyn Goebel (88), Hanna Kares (89) and Claire Wagner (94).
The Wildcats have been anxious in recent weeks with higher scores than anticipated. This is a positive step going into a wide-open regional with no bona fide favorite in the field.
“The past couple weeks have been rough,” Rohleder said. “We haven’t been as confident. I think today it’s back up. Everyone gave it their all. It’s not impossible for us to shoot any lower. The girls can do it. I can do it, too.”
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The same could be said of Memorial following a third-place finish at 354. With a lineup primarily of underclassmen – the Tigers start three sophomores and a freshman – a strong postseason bodes well for the future.
Abby Shires led the way with a 78. Emily Hoagland (87), Charlotte Hungate (93) and Corinne Cooley (96) rounded out the scoring.
“We finally found a rhythm,” Shires said. “We knew we had an opportunity to do something big. We wanted it to be a shock. All season, we were inconsistent at some parts. We realized our potential.”
Who else advanced to the IHSAA regional?
It wouldn't be the postseason without some drama. The team title wasn't decided until the final pairing. One advancing spot to Country Oaks required extra holes.
North Posey sophomore Mackenzie Mills was the top individual from a non-advancing team with an 82. Her round included a pair of birdies at 3 and 17. North junior Kiley Standring took the next spot with an 85.
Reitz junior Hope Hanmore had to work extra to earn a trip to Montgomery. She tied Sofie Keppler of Signature School with a 91 to require a sudden-death playoff. Hanmore won on the second hole, the par-4 17th, with a par.
Here were the final team standings: Castle (346), Mater Dei (351), Memorial (354), North (392), Mount Vernon (408), Reitz (409), North Posey (427), Evansville Christian (440), Signature School (460), Central (464), Bosse (464), Harrison (NTS).
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA girls golf: Castle wins another sectional at Fendrich
