KENDALLVILLE – Surviving and advancing is the name of the game at this point of the high school girls golf season. And that's exactly what the Warsaw Lady Tigers did at the East Noble Regional at Noble Hawk Golf Links in Kendallville. Warsaw survived a controversial 18-hole match that started Saturday and concluded Monday after officials suspended play because of torrential downpour. And as a result of their third-place score of 348, the Lady Tigers advanced to Friday's first round of the state finals at Legends of Indiana in Franklin. The top three teams, as well as the top three individuals not on an advancing team, qualified for the state finals. Homestead won the team championship with a four-person score of 331, followed by Fairfield (346) and Warsaw (348). Rochester finished fourth in the 12-team field, missing the state cut by just two strokes. "We knew it would be close," said Warsaw coach Chris LaLonde. "Going in to today, we were up one (stroke) on Fairfield, and Rochester had played well. The girls did a great job keeping their composure with everything that happened with the weather Saturday, and then having to finish today. "It was a hard round," continued LaLonde, whose team played the final five holes Monday, while half the teams completed their rounds Saturday. "With the weather, we played eight holes one way, five another way, and five another way. It was very tough, but the girls kept it together. I'm very proud of them." East Noble's Katie Sharp shot a 1-under 70 and took individal medalist honors. Also advancing individually were Fremont's Elizabeth Carlson (74) and Elkhart Memorial's Brenna Sherwood (74). East Noble carded a 360 and finished fifth as a team, followed by Concordia (363), Bishop Dwenger (370), NorthWood (377), Norwell (379), DeKalb (385), New Haven (394) and Wawasee (403). While Saturday's playing conditions were a nightmare, advancing to the 39th annual state finals allowed Warsaw's dream season to continue. The Lady Tigers finished the regular season with an undefeated record, and then went on to win Northern Lakes Conference and Warsaw Sectional championships. "It's sort of been a dream," said LaLonde. "It's been stressful, but it's been a lot of fun." Two years ago, Warsaw advanced to state with a runner-up finish at the regional. Sarah Hartle was a sophomore on that team. Now a senior, Hartle led the Lady Tigers at this year's regional with an 80. Hartle was 6-over after the first four holes but was able to pull it together. "Sarah didn't play well the first four holes," said LaLonde. "But I'm very proud of the way she pulled it together. That was the big thing for us, hanging in there." Other Warsaw scores included Nikki LaLonde's 82, Morgan Sands' 92, Nikki Grose's 94 and Alexs Manwaring's 102. The Wawasee Lady Warriors nearly finished their round Saturday. Kristin Lonn was the only Wawasee player that had to return Monday, and she only had to play one hole. Lonn led the Lady Warriors with an 81, while Elizabeth Jackson shot 104, Alex Goralczyk shot 105 and Courtney McDaniel carded a 113. Cortney Rassi withdrew from competition.
EAST NOBLE REGIONAL Noble Hawk (Kendallville) Par 70 Note - top three teams, as well as top three individuals not on advancing team, qualify for state finals. Team scores – Homestead 331, Fairfield 346, Warsaw 348, Rochester 350, East Noble 360, Concordia 363, Bishop Dwenger 370, NorthWood 377, Norwell 379, DeKalb 385, New Haven 394, Wawasee 403 Medalist - Katie Sharp (EN) 69 Advancing Individuals - Katie Sharp (E.Noble) 69, Elizabeth Carlson (Fremont) 74, Brenna Sherwood (Elk. Memorial) 74 Warsaw – Sarah Hartle 80, Nikki LaLonde 82, Nikki Grose 94, Morgan Sands 92, Alexis Manwaring 102 Wawasee – Kristin Lonn 81, Cortney Rassi WD, Elizabeth Jackson 104, Alex Goralczyk 105, Courtney McDaniel 113
