Mercy takes third straight D2 state title

GIRLS GOLF FINALS

Farmington Hills Mercy shows off the state championship trophy after winning the Division 2 team championship Saturday at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale. It marks the third title in as many years for Mercy. PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCY MARLINS ATHLETICS

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By Bryan Everson

MediaNews Group

An exceptional first day at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale allowed Farmington Hills Mercy to three-peat as Division 2 state champs.

The Marlins shot a 334 on Day 1, which equaled Dexter’s score the following day for the best round by a team. But Dexter, led by individual winner Avery Manning (141), couldn’t make up a 14-stroke difference from its performance Friday, and Mercy followed up with a 343 on Saturday, good for a 677 total to the Dreadnaughts’ 682.

Lowell came in third with a 688, while Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood ended in fourth with a 693, followed by South Lyon’s 707 for fifth place.

Mercy senior Maeve Casey’s 73 on Friday was part of a 152 score overall, good for fourth individually at Meadows. Also a senior from Mercy, Lila Polakowski finished with a 169 to place 20th.

In addition to a 179 by senior Macy Morphew and a 186 from sophomore Megan Guerrera, senior Emily Walker proved to be the ace up the Marlins’ sleeve by coming in and shooting an 83 Saturday, the second-best Mercy score on the second day. Ainsley Henderson, a junior, contributed as well for Mercy.

From Cranbrook, Sydney Behnke, who had the best score of any freshman in Allendale, shot a 165 to end in 13th place, and junior teammate Sydney Behnke finished with a 166 to end a place behind her. Alina Yuan and Sophia Kouza each carded a 189 for Cranbrook, while an 86 in the second round by Josie Vandenhaute proved integral to the Cranes’ finish.

An 11th-place finish by senior Kaylyn Wisniewski (164) represented the best from South Lyon. Fellow senior MacKenzie Schuls ended with a 170 (21st place), while Lily Judd and Campbell Conley scored a 188 and 190, respectively, for the Lions.

Individually, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s junior Hailey Ward shot a 167 to tie for 15th place, and South Lyon East senior Grace Sturgill was just a stroke behind Ward to tie for 17th. Also, Holly sophomore Savannah Peters ended with a 202.

Division 1

• Adams fourth, Falcons’ individuals fly at Katke: Junior Hannah Wang led Adams with a 163, good for 12th place. She was followed by Highlanders seniors Alexa Camargo (175) and Peyton Sage (180), then junior Brianna Park (186).

Rochester took seventh with a 717 total, led by the 1-2 punch of senior Madison Yang and junior Ananya Kumar.

Yang captured fourth place by shooting a 157, and Kumar followed her immediately with a 160 for fifth place. Additionally, Falcons sophomore Isha Chauhan ended with a 199 and junior Ella Harrison shot a 201.

Clarkston (754, 13th place), Bloomfield Hills (761, 14th) and Royal Oak (778, 16th) rounded out the Oakland County teams competing at Katke Golf Course.

Clarkston’s best score came from senior Emily Sherman (181), followed by Lily Fishtahler (188), Lauren Fishtahler (192), Lily Haviland (193) and Camila Garcia (206).

For Bloomfield Hills, senior Avery Law led the way with a 173. Also from the Black Hawks, Magdalena Leonard hit a 184, Natalie Bugajewski recorded a 196, and juniors Talia Hortick and Sonal Zachariah scored a 209 and 222, respectively.

Junior Stella Rogers led Royal Oak with a 192, followed by Kolbie and Kalli Roelofs, who each carded a 206. Chloe Lenda (232) and Sarah Milligan (244) rounded out scores for the Ravens.

Individually, Troy senior Madison Malenfant and Troy Athens sophomore Aanya Bansal each finished with a 176 (T-30th), Oxford junior Katie Pill shot a 182, Milford junior Elsa Young had a 188 and Berkley senior Ella Hesano finished with a 208.

Division 3

• Yellowjackets come runners-up to Grand Rapids CC: Only defending champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central (652) finished with a better score than the Yellowjackets, who posted a collective 717. DCD’s first and second-day scores were just a stroke apart.

For Country Day, freshman Bella Papsin shot a 79 on Day 1, then a 87 for a 166 total, good for 11th place. Also from DCD, Halle Heineman finished with a 179, followed by a 180 by Rebekah Maibach, a 195 by Isha Ummadi and a 196 by Ashley Diovardi.

Birmingham Marian scored a 752 total to take eighth place at Bedford, including a 171 by junior and 18th-place finisher Pippa Dawson. Trailing Dawson from the Mustangs, Gabby Wenzel shot a 182, Frankie Kulpa carded a 199 and Campbell Whitty finished with a 203.

Division 4

• St. Catherine’s Fay takes fifth: After shooting an 83 on Friday, Fay followed up with a 79, good for a 162 overall. Her fifth-place finish equaled Ray’s placement at Bedford Valley from last year’s finals.

Clawson sophomore Joslynn Ramirez was steady over her two rounds, earning her 19th place at the D4 finals.

Ramirez shot a 96 in her first round, then a 97 in Round 2, good for a 193.