Highland Park dominates field at sectional

Highland Park has dominated the team portion of the prep girls golf scene all season, and Monday was no exception.

The Giants shot lights out at the IHSA sectional tournament at Buffalo Grove Golf Course, winning by 14 strokes.

Highland Park’s four-girl, 18-hole score was 305, standing the Giants as a team to beat this weekend in the 36-hole state finals.

Prospect was second and Palatine Fremd third with 319 and 324 totals, respectively, and also advanced to state.

In addition to the teams, the top 10 scorers not on a qualifying team also advanced downstate, and that group included Stevenson junior Stephanie Miller.

The defending state champion fired a pedestrian-like — for her — 76 but still qualified for state. Medalist was Julia Calbi of Barrington with a 70.

Highland Park was led by Kelli Ono and Jane Sedar, who each shot 74. Nicole Feierberg had a 75 and Tina Berardi an 82.

What makes Highland Park the team to beat at state is the Giants have six golfers capable of firing in the 70s on any given day.

On Monday, Jacki Berardi and Liza Craff didn’t have it, but the other four girls did. This weekend, Berardi and Craff might be hot and their scores could be the difference in a Highland Park victory.

Besides Calbi’s 70, the Fillies got a 72 from Heather Ciskowski, which was the second-best score turned in on the day.

However, Barrington didn’t have the team depth that is needed to win a title at this level.

Highland Park, in contrast, has the needed depth.

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