News

A day after a record-setting performance, Richmond sophomore Trisha Witherby held off the final round field to win the 36th annual state championship on Saturday at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course in Franklin.

Top-ranked Hamilton Southeastern rallied to win its second team state championship (2003) after beginning the day tied for third. The Royals (315-312-627), coached by Steve Guenin, edged first day leader Richmond (305-332-637) for the top spot. Columbus North (313-329-642) placed third, Roncalli (315-328-643) was fourth and defending champ Martinsville (325-319-644) came in fifth. Richmond had held an eight-stroke lead at the end of the first round.

After struggling a week earlier at the regional with a 79, Witherby went birdie and eagle on her first two holes Friday and carded a 66 to set a state finals record and also tied the competitive girls course record. On Saturday, she had to overcome six bogeys, including one on 18, to post a 66-77-143 to edge Noblesville senior Emily Podzielinski (75-69-144) for medalist honors. Podzielinski posted three birdies on the front nine Saturday.

Witherby’s 143 tied for the fourth lowest score ever in the state finals and Podzielinski’s 144 tied for seventh. Witherby became the second Richmond girl to win the state crown joining Cathy Crum in 1978 and was the second straight sophomore to win the title following Brebeuf Jesuit’s Sophie Hayashi. Hayashi didn’t compete in this year’s state tournament. Witherby’s record score on Friday bettered the 68 shot by Martinsville’s Leigh Anne Hardin in the 1999 state finals and Penn’s Julia Potter in 2005. Witherby (77-79-156) had finished tied for 19th in last year’s state finals.

Hamilton Southeastern’s four scoring players placed in the top 33. Freshman Brooke Beegle (71-79-150) tied for seventh; senior Autumn Duke (78-74-152) tied for 10th; senior Christina Beyerl (83-78-161) tied for 25th and; senior Jennifer Blanchard (83-82-165) was 33rd. Junior Kelsey Smith (88-81-169) tied for 38th.

Rounding out the over individuals, Avon senior Breanna Patz (73-74-147) placed third while Columbus North junior Taylor Gohn (72-76-148) was fourth. Kokomo senior Kristi Cardwell (70-79-149) and Martinsville senior Carleigh Silvers (74-75-149) tied for fifth place.

Richmond’s first day 305 tied for the second-best score ever record in a state finals tournament, while Hamilton Southeastern’s 312 tied for the seventh-best. The Royals’ 36-hole score of 627 was the fifth-lowest mark ever posted.

Both days in Franklin saw sunny, clear skies that started off in the low to mid-40s but warmed to around 70 degrees by the afternoon.

Team Standings

1.    Hamilton Southeastern | 315-312-627
2.    Richmond | 305-332-637
3.    Columbus North | 313-329-642
4.    Roncalli | 315-328-643
5.    Martinsville | 325-319-644
6.    Noblesville | 327-324-651
7.    Avon | 330-325-655
8.    Penn | 332-330-662
9.    Carmel | 332-343-675

Top 10 Individual Standings

1.    Trisha Witherby, 10, Richmond | 66-77-143
2.    Emily Podzielinski, 12, Noblesville | 75-69-144
3.    Breanna Patz, 12, Avon | 73-74-147
4.    Taylor Gohn, 11, Columbus North | 72-76-148
T5.    Kristi Cardwell, 12, Kokomo | 70-79-149
T5.    Carleigh Silvers, 12, Martinsville | 74-75-149
T7.    Kaylee Imel, 12, Norwell | 72-78-150
T7.    Brooke Beegle, 9, Hamilton Southeastern | 71-79-150
9.       Ashley Kees, 11, Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 71-80-151
T10.    Anne Ormson, 12, South Bend St. Joseph’s | 76-76-152
T10.    Allyse Kotso, 12, Chesterton | 76-76-152
T10.    Autumn Duke, 12, Hamilton Southeastern | 78-74-152

AVON’S BREANNA PATZ NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER
Following the tournament, Avon senior Breanna Patz was selected as the winner of the Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The Committee presents the award to the outstanding senior participant during the state finals each year. The recipient of the award, who was nominated by her principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in girls golf.

Patz was a four-year participant in the state finals and was an all-state finisher three times placing fourth in 2006, 17th in 2007 and third this year. She has also been a member of the Indiana Junior Golf Masters Tour.

Besides playing basketball for the Orioles, Patz is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also serves as an ambassador for the Avon School and Community Ambassadors program and the NCAA Stay in Bounds program.

Patz ranks 14th in her class of 544 students and plans to study business at Xavier University beginning next fall.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Patz.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Avon High School in the name of Patz.  Since 1989, more than $551,000 in college scholarships has been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.