What Sandburg lacks in experience it makes up in skill.
The Eagles, despite no seniors in the lineup, trumped the field at Wednesday’s Class 2A Marist Regional behind sharpshooting junior Frankie Saban and sophomore Emily Cosler.
“Our top eight players this year are juniors or younger,” Cosler said. “To win regionals and go into sectionals with this win is a big confidence booster.”
Saban posted an 8-over-par 80 to tie for second, Cosler had an 81 for fourth and Sandburg registered a 344 at Green Gardens in Frankfort for its first regional title since 2002.
Saban’s round included an eagle, her first of the year, on the par-5 third hole of Green Garden’s blue course.
“My second shot put me about 10 inches away, so that was nice that I didn’t really have to think about that putt,” Saban said of her eagle. “That started my train of good pars.”
Emilyee McGiles added an 88 and Erin Cronin had a 95 to help Sandburg grab the regional crown. The Eagles will be joined at Monday’s Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional by Marist (360) and Marian (369), along with the top 10 individuals from non-qualifying teams.
Marian’s Nina Nicpon won medalist honors with a 78. Her sister, Mira Nicpon, contributed by shooting an 88.
“As an individual, I thought I had good chance (to be medalist),” said Nina Nicpon, with her round including two birdies. “I was working really hard coming into this and put in the time to advance.”
T.F. South sophomore Maggie Sloan finished in a tie with Saban for second after shooting an 80. Sloan qualified for state last year and competes with the T.F. South boys team during the season.
“Switching from boys to girls, I have the problem of having to back down on my shots, and that’s a good problem to have,” Sloan said.
“I really love stepping up to the hole on a par-5 and it’s like ‘OK, maybe I won’t get a seven on this hole.’ I’ll go for a birdie, and I love that.”
Marist’s Ashley Kay carded an 82 for fifth. Kelly Barker (86), Anne Schieber (93) and Sam Smith also contributed for the RedHawks.
Other individual qualifiers include Oak Forest’s Jackie Pytko (83) and Katie Maurer (91); Stagg’s Natalie Collina (83) and Jena Pietrowski (98); Homewood-Flossmoor’s Kendall Paris (87); and Mother McAuley’s Elizabeth Nye (93), Makalia Brown (94), Rachel Martin (98) and Julie Geraghty (99).
Mother McAuley finished fourth with a 384. H-F, Stagg and Oak Forest all tied for fifth with a 405.
