By RYAN WALKER
DECATUR — The high school fall sports season had its first scheduled event in Wells County for the 2023-24 year, and Norwell’s girls’ golf team didn’t miss a beat.
The Knights took home first place in the Bellmont Girls’ Golf Invitational at Cross Creek Golf Club by an even 50 strokes Tuesday afternoon. Norwell shot a 369, ahead of the host school Bellmont, who scored a 419.
The team also boasted the top two individual performers in Ellie Gatton, who shot an 86, and Anna Dodane, who shot an 87.
Bluffton split the six-team field in the middle by placing third place with a score of 429. Following the Tigers were Adams Central at 459, fifth place Jay County with 491, and last was Garrett with 499.
The Tigers also had a top performer in the individual standings with sophomore Emma Schwartz placing third with a score of 92.
The rest of Norwell’s scorers included a fifth-place effort by Savanna Simerman (96), tied for seventh place Emmy Heaston (100), Nevada Lenwell ninth (103).
For Bluffton, Eve Corkwell was tied for seventh with a 100, followed by Tressa Renner (115), Piper Morgan (122), and Aleeah Grover (133).
This season has high expectations for the three Wells County schools, as it was the first time that all three made it to the regional in the same season last year.
Norwell and Bluffton went back-to-back in the sectional last season in second and third place. Southern Wells, who will begin the season Wednesday at the South Adams Invitational, won its first sectional championship last year at Eastbrook.
All three will play at the South Adams Invitational starting at 9 a.m.
sports@news-banner.com
