EAST LANSING – The already successful season for Harper Creek girls golf will be extended another week thanks to a big day at regionals.
Harper Creek finished second at the Division 3 girls golf regionals at Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
With the runner-up finish, the Beavers qualify for the MHSAA Division 3 golf state finals, advancing to the final weekend of the season for the first time since 2021. The Division 3 state finals will be held at Forest Akers West on the weekend of Oct. 17-18.
Harper Creek, ranked No. 4 in the state, had a team score of 377 with Otsego finishing as regional champs at 356.
MORE: Big season for Harper Creek girls golf
“We are a little disappointed we didn’t win the regional. But, the girls are very excited to have another week of golf to play. They are excited about experiencing the state finals competition,” Harper Creek girls coach Jason Knickerbocker said.
Sophomore Haley Willi led Harper Creek by finishing sixth overall at the regional with a round of 90. Freshman Ella Bushman and junior Braylee Stanley each carded a 93 to finish in a tie for eighth overall. Audrey Flanders finished at 101 and Adeline Higgs had a round of 103.
Marshall finished eighth in the same regional with a team score of 429. The Redhawks were led by Anna Thompson, who took 13th overall with a round of 97.
Pennfield was 13th as a team at 494. Freshman Haydyn Tenbrink had a team-best round of 116.
Division 1
Lakeview competed in the Division 1 regional at Muskegon Country Club, taking 12th with a round of 431. Senior Josie Pawlowicz led Lakeview by taking 14th as an individual with a round of 88.
Division 2
Gull Lake’s Allison Vanhuysen qualified for the state finals as an individual by taking third overall at a Division 2 regional at Island Hills Golf Course in Centreville. Vanhuysen had a round of 88 to lead the Blue Devils, who finished fifth as a team. Charlotte Boudeman and Emma Walters each had a round of 91 to tie for 12th overall.
Coldwater competed in the Division 2 regional at Forest Akers East, taking seventh as a team with a round of 415. Junior McKinley Earles had a team-best 92 to take 13th overall.
Division 4
Olivet’s Jocelyn Rolston finished as regional champ with a round of 90 at this Division 4 regional tournament at Cascades Golf Course in Jackson. Olivet was fourth overall as a team with a team score of 448 to miss qualifying as a team by one position. Rolston, the first regional champ in boys or girls golf in school history, will compete in the state finals as an individual.
Athens finished 10th as a team with a round of 531 as sophomore Ava Albert led the way by taking 23rd overall at 115.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek girls golf advances to state finals after big day at regionals
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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