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Martinsville edged Carmel in one of the closest team finishes ever to win its second championship in three seasons and Noblesville's Meghan Potee took the individual crown during the 37th Annual Girls Golf State Finals at The Legends of Indiana in Franklin.

The team competition was decided on a fifth score tiebreaker for the first time since 1984 and the first time since the 36-hole format was adopted in 1991. The two teams four scoring golfers were tied at the end with 662 each but it was Martinsville which claimed its record 11th state championship with its fifth score totals of 88-85-173 compared to Carmel’s 93-92-185.

All 11 Artesian crowns have come with coach Sharon Most heading the team.

The Artesians golfers were led by senior Kelsey Benson who finished 11th overall at 80-80-160. Junior Shelby Wilson placed 19th at 88-78-166, Junior Jaclyn Schindler ended 24th at 84-83-167 and junior Katherine Habbel (86-85-171) and senior Kelcy Diseroad (88-83-171) tied for 31st.

Noblesville, which began the day one stroke back of Martinsville in second place, finished third at 673 (339-334). Roncalli was fourth with 676 (346-330) and defending state champion Hamilton Southeastern placed fifth at 680 (347-333).

Potee, a senior, became the first Noblesville golfer, girl or boy, to wear the state crown finishing 76-71-147. She began the day tied for first at 76 with Carroll (Fort Wayne) senior Ashley Kees and South Bend St. Joseph’s freshman Anna Wilcoxson but made her move along the back nine making birdie on holes 12, 13 and 15.

Kees (76-76-152) finished tied for second with Columbus North senior Taylor Gohn (78-74-152). Defending state champion Trisha Witherby, who set the girls competitive course record with a 66 in last year’s first round, finished fifth this season with 80-76-156.

The start of Friday's opening round was delayed by 90 minutes due to rain. The rest of the day was played under mostly cloudy skies with highs in the low 60s though strong winds made it feel considerably colder. The second day saw overcast skies, windy conditions with highs in the mid-50s.

Team Standings

T1.   Martinsville | 338-324-662*
T1.   Carmel | 340-322-662 
3.    Noblesville | 339-334-673 
4.    Roncalli | 346-330-676 
5.    Hamilton Southeastern | 347-333-680 
6.    Western | 347-335-682 
7.    Richmond | 350-333-683 
8.    DeKalb | 350-347-697 
9.    Columbus North | 351-349-700 
    * Tie broken by fifth player's score     

Top 10 Individual Standings

1.    Meghan Potee, 12, Noblesville | 76-71-147
T2.    Ashley Kees, 12, Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 76-76-152 
T2.    Taylor Gohn, 12, Columbus North | 78-74-152 
4.    Brianna Scheidler, 12, Greensburg | 77-78-155 
T5.    Katie Sharp, 9, East Noble | 78-78-156 
T5.    Trisha Witherby, 11, Richmond | 80-76-156 
T5.    Jamie Caylor, 11, Roncalli | 82-74-156 
T5.    Ari Savich, 12, Carmel | 80-76-156 
T9.    Amy Thompson, 12, NorthWood | 79-79-158 
T9.    Kylie Kern, 11, Kokomo | 79-79-158

MARTINSVILLE’S KELSEY BENSON NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER
Following the tournament, Kelsey Benson of Martinsville High School 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, nominated by her principal and coach, was determined to have best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in girls golf.

Benson is a four-year letterwinner with the girls golf team helping her school capture two of the last three state championships. She is actively involved with student government, National Honor Society, student newspaper and a number of other clubs and activities. Academically, she ranks first in her senior class and plans to study pre-med at Bowling Green State University with an eye toward becoming a sports psychiatrist.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Benson of Martinsville.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Martinsville High School in the name of Benson.