The women’s varsity golf team will battle for the Regional title on Sept. 22 at the Edgewood Golf Club in Anderson. The match will start at 8:30 a.m. The Irish will compete against the winners of the Greensburg, Muncie Central, New Palestine, Noblesville and Richmond sectionals. Only the top three schools in each Regional advance to the State Finals on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29.

During the Sectional round, Columbus North, a top-ranked team all season, combined for a team total of 322. Hamilton Southeastern won the Noblesville Sectional with a total team score of 334. Richmond won its own Sectional with a team score of 336. Muncie Central was successful in its Sectional with a collective score of 355, and New Palestine won its Sectional with a team score of 363. The Irish captured the Lawrence Central Sectional title with a combined team score of 373.

Head coach and social studies teacher Mr. Eric Bruns said, via an emailed interview, that the team is playing great golf right now. “We have progressively played better as the season has gone on, including three girls (seniors Ellie Daly, Mary Grace Stenson and Kiyah Terrell) shooting their best 18-hole scores of the season during Sectional on a very challenging course. Regional will be a great opportunity to compete. We will be playing several really strong teams that have been ranked in the Top 10 all season, like Columbus North and Hamilton Southeastern. If we continue to fight for every shot and avoid big mistakes, we will have an opportunity to place.”

Bruns also said that the team’s primary strength involves its depth. He said that the team doesn’t have one player who can shoot “super low,” but all five players have the ability to produce good scores to keep the team in contention “regardless of the course or the conditions.”

No matter the outcome of the results of the Regional match, Bruns said he looks forward to “seeing us compete on this stage. Throughout the season, we have played our best at the toughest courses and against the better competition. (Sept. 22) is another opportunity for us to do that. I hope the girls play well and will be proud they put forth their best effort.”

For updates on the result of the match and for the remainder of the tournament, fans can visit the IHSAA website.