By RYAN WALKER
and DAVE SCHULTZ
The tournament trail ended for the three Wells County girls’ golf teams Friday, but it was significant that they were present at the regional — together.
In a 15-team regional field at the Noble Hawk Golf Link near Kendallville, Norwell placed 11th with a team score of 399, Southern Wells was 12th at 424, and Bluffton was 14th at 453. Only the top three teams advanced to the state meet, leaving the Wells County teams out of the running.
Still, there was much to be proud of.
For Norwell, Anna Dodane led the way with an 88, followed by Ellie Gatton at 98, Hayden Double at 105, and Emilyn Heaston and Emma Dodane both at 106.
Southern Wells was led by Grace Meeks at 91, Kayleigh Jones at 102, Hannah Duncan at 115, Jadyn Yencer at 116, and Caroline Ripperger at 118.
Lily King had a 97 for Bluffton, followed by Emma Schwartz at 106, Kennedy Nash at 124, Tressa Renner at 126, and Eve Corkwell at 133.
The overall team champion was Culver Academy, which had a 302 team total. Also advancing to state were Homestead at 315 and Carroll at 318.
Other teams in the field were Fort Wayne Dwenger 334, Warsaw 357, Northridge 364, Tippecanoe Valley 389, Fremont and Concord, both at 392 and Fort Wayne Snider 10th at 393. Wabash was 13th at 430, and Northfield was 15th at 454.
For Norwell coach Mike Niermeyer, the regional could be a look ahead to next season. Four of the five — all but Gatton, the Knights’ No. 2 player Saturday — are underclassmen.
“It was a great experience for that group,” Niermeyer said. “The team did well, making it to the regionals.”
Overall, he said, the team played well. “I think some of them thought they left some strokes out on the course,” Niermeyer said.
Ross Palmer, the Southern Wells coach, said the team played well Saturday.
“They started off really well,” he said. Throughout the round, they sustained it, and they should be really proud of themselves.”
Southern Wells won its first ACAC conference championship and its first sectional this year.
“It’s been a great season, it’s been a lot of fun, lot of success, and hopefully that’s the start of a tradition now for our team,” Palmer said.
Bluffton coach Tara Cocanower said the day was a struggle for her team. Nevertheless, she said, “I’m super proud of how they handled it. They’re not people that give up. They’re tough, and I think that’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of.”
At the end of the meet, the players and coaches, and managers of the three teams posed together for a group photo — a symbol of the unique competition that ended the teams’ 2022 season.
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