Depth carries WW South back downstate

Wheaton Warrenville South's girls golf team finally put together a complete round on Monday and the Tigers' reward was the school's first sectional championship in the sport.

The Tigers shot a 321 to capture top honors in the Class AA St. Charles East Sectional at St. Andrews in West Chicago. St. Charles East nipped Hinsdale Central 326-327 for second place and the final state qualifying spot.

Leading the Tigers, who will be making their first state appearance since 2002, were Sara Skurla (77), Molly O'Conner (78), Emily Johnson (82) and Amy Wood (84).

"It's the first time that all of my girls really stepped up and played to their potential," Tigers coach Art Tang said. "If you would have told me that we'd beat St. Charles East, I wouldn't have believed it, but the girls shot unbelievably."

St. Charles East, which was led by Jenny Niemiec (77) returns to state for the first time since 2000. Hinsdale Central was hoping to advance to state for the sixth time in the last seven years under retiring coach Nancy Ahitow.

There was one bright spot for the Red Devils, though, as Samantha Postillion won medalist honors after shooting a 70 and then winning a playoff over Neuqua Valley's Hannah Buck. Postillion recorded a birdie while Buck got a par.

"It would have been more fun to win the title if our whole team would have gone to state together," said Postillion, who was her team's lone qualifier.

Other top finishers who advance were Glenbard West's Brooke Kochevar (72), St. Francis' Kayla Stueland (76), St. Charles North's Marin Beagley (76) and Naperville North's Marissa Miko (76).

The final three state qualifiers were Naperville North's Elisa Pallaiau (78), Kaneland's Hayley Guyton (79) and Geneva's Kim Connor (79).