ANDERSON — New Palestine and Greenfield-Central’s teams were unable to qualify for the IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals, but there will be a ‘team’ representing the area at the tournament being held Friday and Saturday (Oct. 4 and 5) at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
Let’s call them Team Hancock County.
Longtime friends Annaliese Fox, from New Palestine; and Caroline Gibson, from Greenfield-Central, finished in the top five individually at Saturday’s Lapel Girls Golf Regional, held at Edgewood Golf Club in Anderson. They advanced to this weekend’s two-round finale.
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“It was a goal to go to state together,” said Fox, a senior, who has qualified for the third straight year.
“It’s going to be great,” she added. “We’re hoping we will be paired together. I think it’s more likely we will be because we’re from the same area.”
It’s the first time for Gibson, a junior, who finished one spot higher than Fox on the leaderboard.
Gibson was third overall and second among individuals not on a qualifying team. She birdied No. 18 to finish with a one-over-par 72. Fox finished in a three-way tie for fourth and tie for third among individuals with a two-over-par 73.
The top three teams and top five individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to play at Prairie View.
“It’s so exciting,” Gibson said of qualifying for the state meet with Fox. “It’s always good knowing someone, and playing with someone you know. It makes you more relaxed.”
Fox owns her school’s record for best round at the state meet with a 77.
“It was nerve-wracking to start the day, because I knew it was my last time trying to go,” Fox said of her regional round. “It could have been better, but I played really well.”
“That was my expectations,” Gibson said of vying for a spot in the state tournament at Saturday’s regional. “Going off the first hole, I parred but I got a little shaky and it was a little rough on the front nine. I went to the back nine thinking I better step it up and I did.
Going into the last hole (No. 18) I was standing there for my birdie putt and I was shaking. I felt like I had to make it. It felt good.”
Team-wise, Greenfield-Central had its best 18-hole score of the season, 348. In the ultra-competitive field at Edgewood, it was only good enough for eighth place. New Palestine was ninth with a 362.
Playing as individuals, Mt. Vernon’s Meredith Johnson and Alaina Nugent shot 81 and 91, respectively.
Columbus North won for the second straight year and third time in the last four with a 313. Noblesville (324) and Lapel (325) also advanced.
“That might be the best round we’ve ever had at the regional,” Greenfield-Central coach Russ Wiley said of his team’s total. “We were absolutely on fire the last nine holes.”
Gibson shot a two-under-par 33 on the back nine. Haley Hoagland (83) shot 37. Tandess O’Neal finished with an 88 after shooting 38 on the back nine.
Katie Curry (55-50 — 105) and Grace Silcox (57-51 — 108) also improved on their final holes.
Following Fox for the Dragons was Izzy Gray with an 86. Like the Cougar golfers, she shot better on the back nine with a 38. Megan Diller finished with a 95. Rachel Purnell carded a 108, and Michaele Purnell finished with a 114.
“There is always a lot more pressure here,” New Palestine coach Sarah O’Brien said. “Overall, I thought everyone played well. Everybody always thinks they could have taken a few strokes off their score, but I’m pleased with 362.”
The post-season pressure will continue for Fox and Gibson, but some of that pressure will be taken away with the comforts of playing in a big tournament with a close friend.
“My mom and dad said we both play better when we’re around each other,” Gibson said.
“I’m excited to see what happens,” Fox added. “It’s my last year. It’s her first time. It will be fun.”
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