New London, Highland advance in regional girls golf

NEW LONDON - The New London and Highland girls golf teams are one good day away from the state tournament.

The Tigers and Huskies were in New London Monday for the Class 1A Region 4A tournament. They finished one-two to take two of the three qualifying spots.

New London dominated. The Tigers had five of the seven top scores and won the tournament by 65 strokes, shooting an even 400.

Highland finished second by 40 strokes. The Huskies shot 465 to cruise to the second qualifying spot. Danville shot 505. Iowa City Regina finished at 525. Winfield-Mount Union and Columbus finished at 555 and 630 respectively.

New London’s one-two punch of Taylor Phillips and Sophie Malott led the team. Phillips narrowly squeaked past Malott with a 90 to win medalist honors. Malott finished at 91.

Hannah Ortberg shot 108 to take fifth place individually. Saige Barron shot 111. Izzy Nye scored 112. Emma Nye finished her day at 121.

Highland had three golfers in the top 11. Charlie Aicher and Kayla Cerney each shot 113 to tie for eighth overall, and Jenna Waters finished at 116, for 10th.

Kelsi Cherny finished the tournament with a 123 to round out the Highland scorers. Kerra Longbine shot 167.

Isabel Kann shot 123 to lead Winfield-Mount Union. Ava Hagge finished at 136. Alli Humphreys scored 140. Aurey Meeker rounded out the Wolves’ scorers with a 156, and Afton Wilkerson shot 164.

Jobie Lekwa of Columbus took 11th-place overall with a 118. Vanessa Ayala shot 129 for the second best Wildcat score. Faith Barnhart finished at 191, and Atlie Hand shot 192.

New London, Highland and Danville will next play at the Region 5 final at North Mahaska next Monday.

FINAL TEAM SCORES: 1. New London 400; 2. Highland 465; 3. Danville 505; 4. Iowa City Regina 525; 5. Winfield-Mount Union 555; 6. Columbus 630. (No team score for Holy Trinity or Wapello)

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: 1. Taylor Phillips (New London) 90; 2. Sophie Malott (New London) 91; 3. Natalie Wilcox (Danville) 94; 4. Alison Robu (Holy Trinity) 96; 5. Hannah Ortberg 108; 6. Saige Barron (New London) 111; 7. Izzy Nye (New London) 112.