Shooting a 79 earned Sarah Skurla a spot in a three-way playoff for medalist honors at the Class AA St. Ignatius sectional Tuesday in Lemont.

While Glenbard West’s Brooke Kochevar won the playoff, Skurla’s round solidified the Tigers’ second-place finish and a spot at this weekend’s state meet.

Still, Skurla said there is room for improvement before teeing off at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale Friday.

“I could get my irons close, but I struggled on the greens,” Skurla said of her sectional effort at Cog Hill.

She plans to work on her short game after a pair of bogeys got to her at sectionals.

“It’s just a matter of getting those strokes back,” Skurla said.

Wheaton Warrenville South coach Art Tang was anxiously waiting for Skurla, his top golfer, to finish her round as he knew the overall team scores would be tight.

Renee Solberg came on strong in her final nine holes, shooting a 38 compared to 47 on the front nine. Also breaking into the 80s was Emily Johnson with an 89.

Mallory Glanzman and Amy Wood shot matching 90s to share the team’s fourth scoring spot. Katie Novosel (119) also competed.

The team finished second with a 343, just one point behind Hinsdale Central for the team title.
“We didn’t play that well in the front, but we played better in the back,” Tang said. “After the front, we were chasing strokes for sure.”

The Tigers made it to state last year, but struggled Tang added. Now they are shooting for a top-five finish.

On Oct. 7, the Tigers won the St. Francis regional with a 341, 14 strokes better than runner-up York. Skurla’s 83 led the way for Wheaton South in that meet as well.
 
Glenbard West
Despite earning top honors for the second straight week, Glenbard West’s Brooke Kochevar remained critical of her game.

The sophomore’s 79 at the St. Ignatius sectional at Cog Hill in Lemont forced a three-way playoff, which Kochevar won. She shot a 72 the week prior to claim the St. Francis regional title at Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago.

“I’m happy but I didn’t play good,” Kochevar said of sectionals. “I had three doubles (double bogeys). My putting wasn’t good.”

Teammate Claire Lupo shot a 100 at regionals to join her at sectionals.

As a freshman last year, Kochevar tied for 30th at state with a two-score of 161.

St. Francis
Overall consistency powered Kayla Stueland to this weekend’s Class AA state meet.

The lone St. Francis qualifier shot matching 40s on the front and back nines to card an 80.

St. Francis placed third Oct. 7 at its own regional with a score of 374 to advance as a team to the St. Ignatius sectional.

Stueland led the Spartans with a second-place individual score of 80 at Prairie Landing Golf Club, followed by teammate Megan Van Thornout (tied for eighth at 87). Fellow underclassmen Grace Pinns (100) and Kelsey Kerr (107) had the other two counting scores for St. Francis.

Wheaton South won the regional with a 341, and the Spartans were well ahead of Geneva (389) for the third and final team spot at sectionals.