Panthers Tame Tigers On NLC Links
NAPPANEE – The Warsaw girls golf team lost to NorthWood during the regular season a year ago.
The Tigers then bounced back to win the conference tournament to earn a share of the league championship.
Coach Chris LaLonde’s team will have to hope that history repeats itself this fall.
The resurgent Panther program took a big step towards a Northern Lakes Conference regular season title again by topping the Tigers and Plymouth Tuesday in the league opener at McCormick Creek.
No. 16 NorthWood, playing just its second nine-hole match of the season, shot 173. The Tigers came in at 184, while the Pilgrims shot 198.
Warsaw senior standout Nikki LaLonde earned individual medalist honors, but the hosts took team bragging rights.
On a sweltering day, it was appropriately enough a young lady named Summer who turned in a big-time performance for the Panthers. Freshman Summer Stillson shot a 40 for NorthWood, which included a chip in for an eagle on the par five No. 8 hole. The eagle was the second of the season for Stillson, setting a program record for a single season and a career.
LaLonde, one of the key players back from last year’s sectional championship team, did her job for the Tigers. She finished with a 39 over the par 36 layout, edging out Stillson and NorthWood No. 1 Heidi Morganthaler, who each shot 40.
“I knew I had to keep my head on straight and play a good round today,” said Nikki LaLonde. “My putter saved me today. That hasn’t been the case lately, but I’ve been practicing and it paid off.
“As a senior, I want us to keep our undefeated season going today,” she added, prior to knowing the final team outcome. “I feel like I’ve improved from last year and I’m where I need to be to help the team out. My goal is for us to get to State this year.”
Senior Elizabeth Meadows shot a 42 for the Tigers from the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Junior Alexis Manwaring came in with a 49 from the No. 3 position with sophomore Aarshia Jain shooting 54 from No. 5 and junior Kristen Watson 58 from No. 4.
“We have to buckle down on chipping and putting and that’s what I’ve preached all year,” said Warsaw coach Chris LaLonde. “It’s time to get over the hump and pick up our play if we want to win the NLC. I’d like to see us down around 170. These girls can do it. They just have to focus. We’ll work on it and we’ll be ready come the NLC Tourney (Sept. 14).
“Nikki and Elizabeth did a great job tonight. Nikki held in there and Elizabeth had a six on her first hole and then came back strong. They were even on strokes for the season going into tonight. They are picking it up with their play and as leaders for us.”
Linnzie Richner, NorthWood’s No. 2, shot a 44 for the winners. Rachel Beebe came in with a 49 and Kayla Stankovich a 51.
“This one is real important in the NLC race,” said NorthWood coach Adam Yoder. “Our goal in an NLC match is to win all five spots. The key tonight was our No. 3, 4 and 5. Summer had a really good night for us.
“Warsaw has been the class of the NLC forever and it’s a feather in your cap anytime you can beat them. Chris does an awesome job and has a great group of girls. I do feel like the roles are reversed though this year. I think we are the hunted and we’re keeping that in perspective, but also enjoying it.”
The Panthers have enjoyed newfound success this year already. The team has played in eight 18-hole tournaments and won the Goshen, East Noble and New Prairie invitationals. Those three tourney championships are the first three in program history.
“It’s exciting,” Yoder said of the success. “The kids take a lot of pride in our program. Two big things are that we have a great athletic director (Norm Sellers) who supports girls athletics and believes they are important and that we have a home course in McCormick Creek that has been great to our girls and the program.”
Emily Denney shot a 46 as the No. 1 player to lead Plymouth. Randi Dunn fired a 48, Kelley Henderson 49, Morgan Oberly 55 and Mikayla Fox 62 for the Pilgrims.
NorthWood improves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the NLC. The Tigers drop to 7-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.
Plymouth shot 225 to win the JV match. Warsaw shot 243 and the Panthers did not field a complete team.
Lauren Shaffner shot 57 to lead the Warsaw JV team, now 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the NLC. Page Desenberg shot a 58, Miranda Domiano and Morgen Fuentes each a 64 and Madi Graham a 66 for the JV Tigers.
Warsaw hosts NLC foe Elkhart Memorial Thursday at 5 p.m. at Stonehenge.