Munster wins 2nd straight NCC title

DEMOTTE — Munster set its goal to repeat at the Northwest Crossroads Conference Tournament and that they did. The Mustangs wanted to score around 400 and actually shot 372 to capture their second consecutive title at Sandy Pines Golf Club.

Munster’s score was more than enough to capture the title over runner-up Kankakee Valley (407), and third-place finisher Lowell (418).

“I am extremely proud of our girls and their effort today,” Munster coach Bill Smitka said. “We thought we could shoot somewhere around 400, but to post a 372 is an all-around team effort and to be able to do that on a challenging course and against some very good competition is that much more special.”

Munster’s win was an all-around team effort with all five golfers contributing. Rachel Jones and Sarah Kinser led the charge shooting 86 and 89 respectively.

“I am proud of the way our entire team came out and played today. This by far is the best 18 hole round we have played this year and it’s a tribute to the great play from the entire team,” Kinser said.

“The greens were tough to putt on today, but I got used to them and was able to play well as did the rest of my team,” Jones added.

Jones and Kinser’s rounds were impressive, but the medalist winner of the tournament was Highland’s Allison Banasiak who shot a season best 84.

“I kept focused to my game and concentrated on each hole along with some extra work over the weekend attributed to a good round today,” Banasiak said.

Runner-up Kankakee Valley also got a solid performance from the entire team which made their coach very proud.

“I am very pleased with our performance, though we made some mistakes here and there and could have shot a little better, Kankakee Valley coach Ron Stanton said.

“Taking second place against such a good team like Munster is nothing to hang your head down on. Our girls played well and I am very proud of their accomplishment.”

Joining first team honor winners Banasiak, Kinser, and Jones, were Munster’s Hailey Estes (92), Hobart’s Allison Smith (96), and Kankakee Valley teammates Vicki Nichols (97) and Emily Tucker (99).

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