Trojans edge Vikings to take sectional title

Updated: September 17, 2011 9:42PM

CHESTERTON — Chesterton was favored to win Saturday’s girls golf sectional at Valparaiso Country Club.

And the Trojans did win.

But a talented Valparaiso squad didn’t make it easy on them.

Chesterton shot a team score of 340, edging Valparaiso by four strokes.

LaPorte was the third team to advance to regionals, finishing with a score of 398.

Also advancing to the regional were the top three golfers not on the top three teams — Hobart’s Allison Smith (94), New Prairie’s Lauren O’Malley (98) and Portage’s Mackenzie Barcelli (99).

“We’ve had ups and downs,” said a buoyant Chesterton coach Dale Hewitt. “Valparaiso is tough, but we have a lot of good players. We spend most of our time working on our short game. That’s what it always comes down to.”

All eyes were on Chesterton’s Kelly Grassel and Valparaiso’s Harley Dubsky, who both have shot in the 60s this season in 18-hole events.

Dubsky earned plenty of applause with some nice putts. And on the 17th hole, LaPorte’s Ariana Mendez-Sota — a Spanish exchange student and the niece of golf legend Seve Ballesteros — found her way nicely out of the sand trap. Not to be outdone, Grassel then made an even better exit out of the sand by getting closer to the hole.

While the on-course competition was intense, the players were all smiles following the 18th hole. When asked about their “rivalry,” Grassel and Dubsky made it clear that there isn’t one, and that they are great friends. In fact, they have been playing golf together since they were 7 years old.

Not surprisingly, Dubsky and Grassel were neck-and-neck for medalist honors. Dubsky came out on top, finishing with a 72, one shot ahead of Grassel’s 73. Mendez-Soto was third with an 84.

Chesterton’s Staphanie Drake (87) and Valparaiso’s Jen Gough (88) rounded out the top five.

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