By RYAN WALKER
The Southern Wells girls’ golf team won their match against Jay County by a score of 209-259 Tuesday afternoon. The match took place at Dogwood Glen Golf Course, which is now the home of the 2022 Allen County Athletic Conference Champion Raiders.
That name hasn’t been said well, ever, in program history until last Saturday’s seven-team ACAC tournament. The team won in dominant fashion with a score of 413 and was tops by 16 strokes over second-place South Adams.
But for head coach Ross Palmer, taking the conference by any amount would be just fine with a group that has been inching towards post-season success in recent years.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for our girls,” coach Palmer said. “I’ve got four seniors, so they’ve been working for this for a long time, and it’s always been something that’s been in reach for them even in past years but just didn’t quite make it over the hump.”
Southern Wells has two of the best golfers in the ACAC, Grace Meeks and Kayleigh Jones. The two just earned back-to-back first-team all-conference honors on Saturday. Meeks has been a medalist on several occasions, including the conference’s top performer at the event. On the other hand, Jones took fifth place at the meet.
The two are not only a one-two punch on the scorecard but Palmer’s leaders on a varsity team of six.
“Having Kayleigh and Grace are two weapons out on the course at all times,” he said. “I know that all the other teams that we play are pretty excited for them to finally graduate. They’re focused, and they take every shot seriously throughout the round, and that’s important for everybody on the team to see that focus and that drive can get you those types of things. Those kinds of successes like first-team all-conference.”
The other golfers on the roster have had success during the season as well, including Hannah Duncan, who placed 13th at the conference meet, and Caroline Ripperger, who finished 15th.
In total, the four altogether can make a run for the sectional at Arbor Trace Golf Club this Saturday, but the scoresheet needs one more participant in a five-player team score.
The two options for the Raiders are new to the team in 2022: senior Jaden Yencer and freshman Kolbie Beavans. Palmer has been working with them during the season and has seen vast improvement from both of them. He has taken both of their scores alternatively for the five-slot during matches and has proved to be competitive at this level.
“At the beginning of the season, I think she (Yencer) got humbled a little bit by the game, but she’s improved so much,” he said. “Per nine-hole rounds, she’s had to have dropped at least 10 strokes off.”
After winning the conference, Palmer’s golfers had the relief of accomplishment that its never had in team history. However, the sectional meet is the weekend after the ACAC, making for a quick turnaround. Because the team reached their goal, the pressure has eased a little, but more hardware remains in the sights.
“I think they’re excited,” Palmer said. “That sense of relief after winning conference almost is like a weight been lifted off of our shoulders. I think we’re a little bit more relaxed and more focused now going into it, and we don’t feel necessarily a bunch of pressure. Whatever happens, happens. Obviously, we’re hoping to be able to move on to regional, and hopefully, we can get it done.”
Palmer mentioned he has been cautious when talking about the end of the season matches, not making the moment too big and letting the results do the work. He said the team has responded well and their minds are focused on the sectional.
Southern Wells will look to advance their season at Arbor Trace Golf Club at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 17.
sports@news-banner.com
