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Hamilton Southeastern won the team competition and Natalie Schmett of Evansville North picked up the individual crown during the 38th Annual IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals at The Legends of Indiana in Franklin.

Schmett, a senior, led from start to finish and her 141 (-3) (69-72) set a state finals record for the course and was the second-best score in state finals history. Only Leigh Anne Hardin of Martinsville, who shot a 139 at Prestwick in 1999, had a better weekend. Schmett became the first Evansville North golfer, boy or girl, to win a state championship finishing with nine birdies including five on the second day.

Hamilton Southeastern, ranked fifth in the state coaches poll, also made its first day lead stand (321-340-661). The Royals outshot county rival Carmel (340-326-66) by five strokes to capture their second state championship in three seasons and third overall (2003). Steve Guenin also was the HSE coach for the 2008 championship.

Junior Brooke Beegle led Hamilton Southeastern with a 155 (77-78) to finish tied for ninth overall while junior Anne Leighty shot 166 (81-85) for 22nd place. Freshman Mary Ellen Romero (81-89) and junior Kelsey St. John (82-88) each shot a 170 and junior Carolyn Kraus (89-93) carded a 182.

Top-ranked Roncalli (333-335-668) finished third, Penn (330-341-671) placed fourth and Richmond (328-348-676) was fifth.

East Noble sophomore Katie Sharp (74-72-146) finished five strokes back of Schmett in second place. Chesterton sophomore Kelly Grassel (76-75-151) and Carmel junior Briana Midkiff (80-71-151) tied for third and Valparaiso freshman Harley Dubsky (73-79-152) was fifth. Richmond senior Trisha Witherby (73-81-154), the 2008 state champion, tied for seventh.

Rain showers moved through the area mid-morning on Saturday and continued through mid-afternoon as temperatures only reached the mid-50s. Friday’s opening round was played under sunny but breezy conditions with temperatures around 70 degrees.

The 38th Annual IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals
October 1-2, 2010
The Legends of Indiana Golf Course, Franklin

Team Standings

1.    Hamilton Southeastern | 321-340-661
2.    Carmel | 340-326-666
3.    Roncalli | 333-335-668
4.    Penn | 330-341-671
5.    Richmond | 328-348-676
6.    Martinsville | 334-345-679
7.    Zionsville | 335-350-685
8.    Indianapolis Cathedral | 340-356-696
9.    Jasper | 344-360-704
    * Tie broken by fifth player's score    

Top 10 Individual Standings

1.    Natalie Schmett, 12, Evansville North | 69-72-141
2.    Katie Sharp, 10, East Noble | 74-72-146
T3.    Kelly Grassel, 10, Chesterton | 76-75-151
T3.    Briana Midkiff, 11, Carmel | 80-71-151
5.    Harley Dubsky, 9, Valparaiso | 73-79-152
6.    Rachel Welker, 11, Terre Haute North | 74-79-153
T7.    Kayla Katterhenry, 10, Castle | 77-77-154
T7.    Trisha Witherby, 12, Richmond | 73-81-154
T9.    Brooke Beegle, 11, Hamilton SE | 77-78-155
T9.    Kari Bellville, 9, Penn | 77-78-155

MEMORIAL'S DANA HAYDEN NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
At the conclusion of the state finals, Dana Hayden of Evansville Reitz Memorial High School was selected as the winner of the mental attitude award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

As a senior, Hayden ranks 22nd in her senior class with a 5.6 GPA (6.0 scale). She is a member of the school’s string orchestra and bowling team and has received three academic monograms for her achievements. She plans to study Sports Management at the University of Evansville.

She is the daughter of Daniel and Donna Hayden of Evansville.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Reitz Memorial High School in the name of Hayden.