Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - At Maxwelton Golf Club in Syracuse Tuesday afternoon, Warsaw's varsity girls golf team shot its best nine-hole score of the year.
The host Wawasee Warriors, whose coach, Scott DeHart, said he didn't want his team playing its best golf now rather in the state tournament, was just better.
The Warriors hosted the Tigers and defeated them 177-188 in the first Northern Lakes Conference match of the season for both teams.
"That's the best we've shot this year," said Warsaw coach Chris LaLonde, whose Tigers fell to 2-4 on the season. "I'm pleased with the score. We just need to get more consistent and get more shots on the green."
While LaLonde talked about her team needing to be more consistent, she was able to see it in the Warriors, who improved their overall season record to 6-1.
"I watched them hit the ball," LaLonde said of the Warriors. "They hit it good off the tee and put it right in front of the green. That's what it takes."
Jessica Rondeau and Taylor Goshert led Wawasee's consistent four-man score with 40s. Kayla Brown shot 47 while Mary McCauley turned in a 50. Kelsey Mark's 51 was dropped from the team score.
"When your No. 1 and No. 2 players goes 40-40, that makes you happy," said DeHart. "I don't want them playing their best golf until the sectional. We want to manage the course right now."
DeHart said his goal for the Warriors right now is to shoot "bogey golf."
"We've played consistent, then all of the sudden we'll turn in a big score on a hole. Our goal is to shoot bogey golf, which would be 45."
Warsaw senior Emily Johnson was the match medalist after shooting an even round of 36.
"Emily played a good, solid round," said LaLonde. "She had some trouble putting. The greens here are tricky but she played great."
Tracy Thallemer turned in a 47 while Kylie Dishman shot 48 and Alyssa Cameron and Audrey Petro each shot 57.
In junior varsity action, Wawasee beat Warsaw 227-256. Wawasee's Paige Geer was the JV medalist after shooting a 52. Brittany Barringer led Warsaw with a 61.
Wawasee is in action again Friday when they travel to Bent Oak to play NLC opponents Concord and NorthWood. The Tigers host conference foes Goshen and Elkhart Memorial Thursday at Stonehenge.
WAWASEE 177, WARSAW 188
Wawasee - Jessica Rondeau 40, Taylor Goshert 40, Kayla Brown 47, Mary McCauley 50, Kelsey Mark 51
Warsaw - Emily Johnson 36, Tracy Thallemer 47, Kylie Dishman 48, Alyssa Cameron 57, Audrey Petro 57
JV - Wawasee 227, Warsaw 256
Wawasee - Brittany Barringer 61, Krista Slone 62, Krista Cripe 65, Brooklynne Slagbaugh 68, Megan Stamm 68
Warsaw - Paige Geer 52, Rachelle Abrams 54, Kara Keiser 59, Emily Leismer 62, Clare Shear 67
