Panther girls dominate regional final

CARROLL — The Creston/O-M girls golf team dominated the field here Monday at the Class 4A Region 1 Final, earning the program’s first berth to the state tournament since Leeanne Owens starred for the Panthers in the 1998 and 1999 state-qualifying seasons.

Creston/O-M finished as regional champions with its team score of 349, finishing 30 strokes ahead of runner-up Spencer.

“I can’t say how proud I am of the girls,” Creston/O-M assistant coach Jon Thomson said. “They all improved and played so well today.”

The Panthers endured a 2-hour rain delay and still came out swinging.

Sophomore Ashton Carter finished as runner-up with her 18-hole score of 86, leading a charge of Panthers in the top six.

Madison Hance and Sophia Groumoutis tied with rounds of 87, joined by Spencer’s Mariah Irlmiter. After carding the scores, Groumoutis finished third, Irlmiter fourth and Hance fifth.

“Sophia was awesome today,” Creston/O-M assistant coach Ryan McKim said. “She is really playing good golf right now.”

Camryn Somers finished sixth overall, one spot out of an individual qualifying spot, with her round of 89. Hayley Osmun posted a career-best round of 98. Morgan Shawler finished with a score of 132.

“Camryn had a couple of tough holes, but overall played a great round of golf and finished with a par on the hardest hole on the course,” McKim said.

“What a day! We start playing and it started to rain. Cleared up, we were playing OK. Most girls had finished nine holes,” Creston/O-M head coach Jan Lesan said. “Then the rain hit and lightning. We were inside for 2 hours. We went back out onto the course and dominated. These girls were not going to be denied a trip to state.”

After carding a 48 on the front nine, Carter posted a score of 38 on the back nine coming out of the 2-hour rain delay. Carter and the rest of the Panthers spent time on the practice green putting in the drizzle after the lightning stopped.

“Hayley Osmun coming in with a personal best 98, Ashton putting together a great back nine coming out of that 2-hour rain delay,” Thomson said. “Sophia was also on fire with her putting today to close out her second nine 4-over to finish strong. Madison was consistent as always. She is out strong leader. Camryn, after struggling the last couple of weeks, really turned things around when things counted.”

The Panthers advance to the Class 4A State Golf Tournament at Coldwater Links in Ames, May 31-June 1. The event uses a 9 a.m. shotgun start on both days.

“Awesome day for these kids,” McKim said. “Memories for a lifetime!”

Joining the Panthers in the Class 4A field are Spencer, Fairfield, Pella, Dubuque Wahlert, Western Dubuque, Mount Pleasant and Washington.

Class 4A Region 1 Final

Carroll Country Club

Team scores — 1. Creston/O-M 349, 2. Spencer 379, 3. Harlan 384, 4. Lewis Central 415, 5. Carroll 417, 6. Denison-Schleswig 419, 7. Le Mars 428, 8. Greene County 437, 9. Storm Lake 446, 10. Glenwood 478.

Individual qualifiers — 1. Rachael Danielson, Greene County, 42-42—84; 2. Ashton Carter, Creston/O-M, 48-38—86; 3. (tie) Madison Hance, Creston/O-M, 43-44—87 and Sophia Groumoutis, Creston/O-M, 41-46—87 and Mariah Irmiter, Spencer, 44-43—87.

Creston/O-M (349) — Ashton Carter 48-38—86, Madison Hance 43-44—87, Sophia Groumoutis 41-46—87, Camryn Somers 45-44—89, Hayley Osmun 50-48—98, Morgan Shawler 69-63—132.