By RYAN WALKER
MARION — For the first time in school history, the Bluffton Tigers have won the girls’ golf sectional.
At the same time, Southern Wells also qualified for the regional.
The Tigers were led by individual champion Emma Schwartz’s 76 and cut 33 strokes off of their final nine holes from their first nine. Bluffton as a team shot a program record 359. The sectional was at Arbor Trace
Schwartz held a 43 on her opening nine holes, but finished the final nine with 10 strokes off to edge Huntington North’s Adalyn Cutting by six. Tressa Renner sliced 12 strokes off her final nine holes as well.
Bluffton topped Wabash for second place — with the Apaches at 365, and Southern Wells was able to clinch the final spot to qualify for the regional next Friday with a 372.
Both schools had successful seasons in recent history. The Raiders won the ACAC sectional in 2022 for the first time and qualified for the regional with the Tigers. This year, it was Bluffton’s second year in a row with the ACAC crown and knocked the sectional off of the bucket list.
“I’m just grateful to be a part of it,” Bluffton head coach Tara Cocanower said. “All credit to the girls, they powered through the day and responded to every challenge. They were focused and refused to let the bad bounces or tough lies beat them.”
Cocanower admitted she did not cry, no matter how many times the girls asked, but was nervous watching the Apache players celebrating good rounds during the final nine holes.
Wabash got a personal record as a team, but it wasn’t enough to top Bluffton’s five golfers that all hit personal bests individually. A total team effort propelled the Tigers under pressure to do what no other team has done.
Following Schwartz, Eve Corkwell shot a 91, Piper Morgan and Addison Kauffman tied at 96 and Renner finished with a 102.
For Southern Wells, Kolbie Beavans shot a team-high 89 and Callie Ripperger was one stroke behind at 90. Erika Beavans finished at 95, Sophie Meeks (98) and Collena Reeves (102). The team shot a 372.
For just the second time ever, all three Wells County schools will advance to regionals. Norwell punched its tickerd the day before at Chestnut Hills, placing second behind No. 12 Homestead. The first occurrence was in 2022.
Although competitive on the course, the coaches and girls all have respect for one another. At the end of the regional that season, the three schools took a group photo to celebrate history.
Cocanower, a Norwell graduate, has a relationship with Norwell coach Mike Niermeyer and works with Southern Wells’ coach Ross Palmer for junior golf over the summers.
The three have invested in teaching the youth and the high school level the game of golf with passion and have created a close community and have set the bar high for area golf.
“I love our community,” Cocanower said. “I’m a product of this community. Many of our Wells County golfers are in other activities together, go to youth group together and know each others’ families. It’s something special, and I’m excited to see all three teams at Noble Hawk on Friday, to get another picture together and to celebrate the best thing about golf — the friendships made on the course.”
The regional meet at Noble Hawk will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28.
ryan@news-banner.com
