Manchester senior wins playoff hole at Cobblestone
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
KENDALLVILLE – Because of inclement weather, the regional at Cobblestone Golf Course was played two days after it was originally scheduled. It was well worth the wait for Manchester High School senior Lindsey Budnik. A total of 11 local girls – Manchester’s team, Warsaw’s team and Wawasee freshman Mikala Mawhorter – competed in Monday’s tournament in Kendallville, a tournament that featured 18 teams and 18 others that qualified as individuals. Budnik was the only local player to advance to the state finals, which will be played Friday and Saturday at The Legends in Franklin. “I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say right now,” said a smiling Budnik, who won a playoff hole against NorthWood’s Heidi Morganthaler to garner the final qualifying spot. “This is what I’ve worked for since I was a freshman. This is exhilirating.” Both Budnik and Morganthaler shot 81 on the par-72 course. Budnik punched her ticket to the state finals by winning the playoff on the par-5 No. 18. She parred the hole, while Morganthaler bogeyed it. “I had some problems putting, but overall I think I struck the ball well,” said Budnik. “I’m just really excited to go to state.” The top three teams, as well as the top five individuals not on an advancing team, qualify for the state finals. East Noble’s Katie Sharp took medalist honors with a 71, while runner-up Kari Bellville of Penn was two strokes back. Sharp, Anna Wilcoxson (St. Joe, 76), Mary Shipley (Fairfield, 79), Melissa Greener (Concordia, 80) and Budnik were the qualifying individuals. Wawasee’s Mawhorter finished with an 87. As a team, Warsaw finished fifth with a 357, while Manchester was 18th at 398. “I told people I thought 340 would get you out,” said Warsaw coach Chris LaLonde. “We didn’t shoot that today, but I know our girls are capable of shooting that. We took some big numbers on holes, and if you take away those holes we’re right there.” LaLonde wasn’t far off with her prediction, as Penn won with a 323, Rochester was second at 338 and Marion finished third at 339. Homestead (346), Warsaw, DeKalb (360), East Noble (365), Bishop Dwenger (368), NorthWood (368) and St. Joe (374) rounded out the top 10. The same formula the Warsaw Lady Tigers used to post a 13-1 record in the regular season, win a share of the conference championship and then the sectional title is the same formula LaLonde said Penn won the regional with. “You gotta be steady and consistent,” said LaLonde when asked how impressive Penn’s 323 was. “Penn is a good team, and that’s an impressive score. “The big thing is staying steady.” Penn four scores included Bellville’s 73, Katie Willenbrink’s 83, Emily Song’s 83 and Madison Chesnutt’s 84. Alexis Manwaring led Warsaw with an 83, while Nikki LaLonde shot 87, Elizabeth Meadows fired a 90 and Morgan Sands carded a 97. Ashley Murrell rounded out Warsaw’s lineup with a 115. To go with Budnik’s 81, the Manchester Lady Squires got a 99 from Claire Barnett, a 103 from Jasmine Whitaker, a 115 from Nina Smith and a 140 from Erin Working.
EAST NOBLE REGIONAL Cobblestone G.C., Kendallville (Par 72) Note – top three teams, as well as top five individuals not on advancing team, qualify for state finals Medalist – Katie Sharp (East Noble) 71 Advancing Individuals – Katie Sharp (East Noble) 71, Anna Wilcoxson (St. Joe) 76, Mary Shipley (Fairfield) 79, Melissa Greener (Concordia) 80, Lindsey Budnik (Manchester) 81 Local Indivual – Mikala Mawhorter (Wawasee) 87 Team scores – Penn 323, Rochester 338, Marion 339, Homestead 346, Warsaw 357, DeKalb 360, East Noble 365, Bishop Dwenger 368, NorthWood 368, St. Joe 374, Plymouth 377, Bellmont 380, Mishawaka Marian 385, Wabash 389, Angola 389, Elkhart Central 395, Norwell 397, Manchester 398 Warsaw – Nikki LaLonde 87, Elizabeth Meadows 90, Alexis Manwaring 83, Morgan Sands 97, Ashley Murrell 115 Manchester – Lindsey Budnik 81, Jasmine Whitaker 103, Claire Barnett 99, Nina Smith 115, Erin Working 140
