Ann Greely didn’t want to know.
As the scores from Tuesday’s Eighth Region girls golf tournament at Houston Oaks Golf Course were posted, Bishop Brossart’s coach was one of the few not staring at the scoreboard.
“It makes me a nervous wreck,” Greely said. “I just wait ‘til they announce it.”
Then, the announcement: for the first time in school history, the Mustangs became the first in program history to advance beyond the regional.
Owen County won the team title with a combined 65-over-par 353. Brossart’s Emma Laker, Olivia Schuetz, Bailey Ritter and Amery Kuehne shot a 123-over 411. (Lucy Phirman scored a 144)
Which means, the Rebels and Mustangs advance to Monday’s semi-state tournament at The Willows at Kenton County Golf Course.
Laker’s 8-over-par 80 was third lowest. Pendleton County’s Reece Barlow won with a 77, one shot better than Owen County’s Andie Baumann’s 78. What was more: Laker has advanced out of the region for the fourth straight season.
“Her game has been phenomenal,” Greely said. “She’s been working hard at it. She doesn’t take a day off.”
Laker practices two hours every day; if she’s not at the driving range, you can find her at Reeves Golf Course in Cincinnati.
“I don’t go to the driving range every day,” Laker said. “Mostly just putting and chipping.”
Tuesday, Laker covered the front nine in a 2-over-par 38. Laker was 3-over-par after 13 holes. Then, a stumble: five bogeys the rest of the way.
“I started off rough, and then I started playing really, really good,” Laker said. “Bogeying the last five holes kind of made me upset, but I finished strong … I three-putted two of the holes, and my chips weren’t close enough to get up-and-down.”
Harrison County finished third in the team standings with a 429, followed by Highlands (454), Campbell County (460) and Gallatin County (496).
Campbell County’s Alli Collins and Highlands’ Bailey Markus advanced as individuals. It’s Collins’ second semi-state trip and Markus’ first.
Collins shot a 24-over 96, two strokes better than last year’s 98. She said the latest trip is nicer.
“I did better than I did last year, and it’s my senior year, so we’re finishing off strong,” Collins said. “I started off pretty good; my drives and my irons were doing really well. And then I got through a funk. Luckily, I qualified.”
Markus carded a 29-over 101. She averaged about 225 yards off the tee, but her chips were “going back and forth across the green all the time.”
“My strong part was probably driving and keeping it in the fairway,” Markus said. “What I need to work on is my short putts and chipping.”
TEAM SCORING
Owen County — 353*
Bishop Brossart — 411*
Harrison County — 429
Highlands — 454
Campbell County — 460
Gallatin County — 496
*= Qualified as team for sub-state tournament
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
Reese Barlow, Pendleton County — 77*
Andie Baumann, Owen County — 78
Emma Laker, Bishop Brossart — 80
Lucy Dunavent, Owen County — 83
Tessa Humphries, Nicholas County — 90*
Sarah Smith, Grant County — 91*
Katie Wright, Pendleton County — 93*
Emily Stedham, Owen County — 95
Alli Collins, Campbell County — 96*
Lucy Hardesty, Owen County — 97
Braylyn Boyer, Henry County — 98*
Taylor Bruener, Pendleton County — 99*
Olivia Schuetz, Bishop Brossart — 100
Madeline Williams, Harrison County — 100*
Bailey Markus, Highlands — 101*
Lexie Chappell, Owen County — 103
Hadlie Crump, Harrison County — 104*
Lydia Young, Gallatin County — 105
Amery Kuehne, Bishop Brossart — 108
Jenna Richey, Highlands — 109
Cece Boland, Harrison County — 110
Natalie Waggoner, Campbell County — 113
Ella Pompilio, Campbell County — 114
Sarah Combs, Harrison County — 115
Lily Muller, Highlands — 117
Brynley Terrell, Gallatin County — 118
Kayci Jo Orazen, Nicholas County — 120
Braelynn Burgan, Grant County — 121
Bailey Ritter, Bishop Brossart — 123
Laci Tackett, Augusta — 125
Kendall Cross, Henry County — 125
Mary Canupp, Harrison County — 126
Kathryn Sturgeon, Paris — 127
Penelope Kolb, Highlands — 127
Kinley Baker, Gallatin County — 129
Annie Bauer, Highlands — 129
Micah Magruder, Henry County — 129
Clarissa Collins, Grant County — 130
Kate Thompson, Gallatin County — 132
Catherine Deaton, Campbell County — 137
Macy Hall, Henry County — 140
Reagan Morris, Gallatin County — 141
Sara Enzweiler, Campbell County — 142
Lucy Phirman, Bishop Brossart — 144
Isabella Thacker, Nicholas County — 152
Sydney Carpenter, Nicholas County — WD
*= Qualified as individual for sub-state tournament