Photo by TRAVIS DAVID | North Knox senior Brooklyn Sturgeon hits a shot towards the green during Friday's IHSAA girls golf sectional at High Pointe. Sturgeon advanced to the regional for the second straight year.

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BY TRAVIS DAVID

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BICKNELL — Survive and advance is a phrase often associated with team sports in the postseason. 

It now also applies to Brooklyn Sturgeon.

Playing on her home course — High Pointe GC — where she racked up medalist honor after medalist honor this season, the North Knox senior had high hopes of adding to her impressive resume during the sectional Friday morning.

Sturgeon fell short of her goal of winning an individual sectional championship but her season is not over.

For the second straight year, the Warriors’ top golfer was one of three golfers not on an advancing team to earn a spot in next weekend’s regional.

Sturgeon finished with a round of 85 — five strokes better than last year’s regional qualifying score — which was good for third overall and tied for the top score of individuals not on a Top 3 advancing team.

“It’s not the score I wanted,” the senior said. “I was shooting for a 79 or 80. I thought my drives and irons were OK but my chips and putts are what killed my score … my short game was just not on today.”

Although the senior was not pleased with her score, she would have had the round of her life to win medalist honors on Friday.

Barr-Reeve’s Olivia Emmons defended her sectional title with a 5-over-par round of 75. Emmons carded 10 pars during her round in addition to a pair of birdies. Both birdies came on the front nine where she built a 7-shot lead over Sturgeon and the rest of the field.

“Olivia played really well today,” Sturgeon said of the sectional champion. “Everything was on for her.”

Sturgeon defeated Emmons a trio of times during the regular season, including at the Blue Chip Conference Meet — also played at High Pointe Golf Course. 

Led by Emmons’ 75, the Vikings captured their third straight sectional title with a score of 337. Washington placed second, 30 shots behind the Vikings, while North Daviess grabbed the third qualifying spot with a 372.

The Warriors placed seventh with a total score of 397.

Linton-Stockton’s Millie Lynn and Pike Central’s Kady Gideon will join Sturgeon as the third individuals moving on to the regional. Lynn matched Sturgeon with a round of 85 while Gideon — playing in the same group as Sturgeon — finished with a score of 87.

North Knox sophomore Abby Noland finished just three strokes shy of forcing a playoff with Gideon. Noland opened her round with a 9-hole career-best score of 43 on the front nine en route to her best 18-hole score.

“She was disappointed she did not advance but I am so proud of how she played,” North Knox coach Katie Kixmiller said of her No. 2 player. “She played smooth, calm and confident all day, unlike she has all season. I am excited to see how much she improves between now and next July.”

Brylie Earley and Natalee Rickard also posted personal-best scores during the round.

Earley carded her second career birdie en route to a score of 103. The junior’s birdie came on the par 5 No. 7.

“I hate that hole,” Earley said with a chuckle after her round.

Not to be outdone, Rickard posted her first career birdie during her round. The junior hit a near perfect tee shot on the par 3 No. 12 which landed just on the apron of the green. Rickard then sank a 25-foot putt for the birdie.

Rickard was the only golfer in the field of 58 to record a birdie on the hole.

“She played the hole just the way we have practiced it,” Kixmiller said. “She played it out to the left and let the slope of the hill roll it back towards the green and she put the perfect speed on her birdie putt to the bottom of the cup.”

Callie Meadows posted a score of 120 to wrap up her career in the Lady Warriors uniform.

“She made some great drives but struggled with her short game,” the Warriors’ coach said of her senior. “That got the best of her score today. But she has been an absolute blast to coach these past two years and we are going to miss her funny, go-getting attitude.”

Shakamak wrapped up its record-breaking season by placing 10th overall. The Lakers were paced by Aubree Langford’s round of 103.

Langford was the first Laker to hit the course, teeing off on No. 10, marking the first Lady Laker in program history to hit a shot during IHSAA postseason play.

The junior played a consistent round, posting scores of 52 and 51.

Camryn Bryne posted a 105, including a par on No. 17, while Chase Hammond, Mattilyn Hill and Adelyse Varner all posted scores of 106.

Varner’s career-low score happened thanks in part to firing a career-best 48 on the opening nine holes. The junior’s lone par of the round came at No. 12.

Sullivan also had a trio of career-best rounds. Sophomore Lanie Donnar recorded a trio of pars on her scorecard to finish with a career-best round of 97. The score marked the first time she finished an 18-hole tournament in the double digits.

Donnar finished her season by carding a career-best 9-hole score of 46 on the front nine.

Lori Alumbaugh carded a 102 for another career best while freshman Paisley Drake finished fourth on the team with a career-best score of 114.

Senior Layla Ellis finished her playing career with a round of 121, on her birthday, while freshman Kennedy Boles also finished with a 121.

Next week’s regional will take place at Country Oaks.

Sturgeon will need yet another Top-3 score among those not on a qualifying team to advance to the State Finals.

“I am going to spend the week with my main focus being my chipping and putting,” the Warrior said of her regional preparation. “Hopefully it comes into play and I can move on.”

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