Linnzie Richner was at her best during NorthWood’s senior night. Richner shot a 35 to help lead her team to yet another NLC title. (Photos by Nick Goralczyk)

NAPPANEE – Wawasee should have seen it coming. The weather was gorgeous, senior night ceremonies were being conducted for the Panthers and in the distance could be heard the sweet sounds of NorthWood’s Red Regiment tuning up for Friday night. The scene was perfect for a Panther victory.

What was supposed to be a night for golf at its finest between the Northern Lakes Conference’s premier team, Wawasee and NorthWood, ended up being a trap for the visiting Warriors. NorthWood graciously led its visitors, along with Northridge, into a buzz saw Thursday evening at McCormick Creek.

The Panthers and Warriors each entered with a 5-0 mark in conference play and the winner would take bragging rights into next week’s conference tournament. NorthWood rose to the occasion behind senior Linnzie Richner’s 35 as the team tied a program-best score of 165 to cruise past Wawasee (187) and ‘Ridge (240).

It was Richner’s night to shine and that’s just what she did. The senior was not caught up with emotions, she did not crack under the pressure. No, Richner decided to spend her senior night doing what comes so easily to her, winning.

“You can’t really afford to have your No. 1 go out and shoot over 40 against good teams,” began NorthWood head coach Adam Yoder, “Wawasee is a good team. We couldn’t have Linnzie blow up tonight and she didn’t. That’s pressure, but she’s used to it. She’s been doing it for a long time.”

No kidding.

Aubrey Schmeltz

It would seem that Richner has been beating up on fellow NLC opponents since the program’s inception. She’s one of those players that just always seems to be there regardless of the season. She’s comparable to Duke basketball players that never seem to just graduate and stop torturing the rest of the conference. She’s omnipresent.

Okay, that’s a stretch. But Richner has left her mark on the NLC in a big way. During her four seasons hitting the links, the Panthers have never lost and NLC match. NorthWood has won a conference regular season title every season since Richner’s freshman year. If that was not enough, NorthWood has ran up a 43-1 record during Richner’s career.

So, of course she was flawless Thursday night. The senior signed for medalist honors with a 35, highlighted by a chip-in birdie on the sixth hole. She wanted to win and she made sure everyone knew it with her performance.

Richner was backed up by solid scores from the rest of her team. Summer Stillson shot a 43, a bit high for the junior’s standards, but still good enough. Mackenzie Weaver added a 44 while Madison Richner shot a 43. The Panthers scores were rounded out by Abby Slabaugh’s 49.

Abby Slabaugh

Wawasee just never got the momentum going that it needed.

“The tricky holes really got us tonight,” said Wawasee head coach Steve Coverstone. “We scored really bad on those holes. I don’t really know why we did that, but it happened and we have to move on.

“These girls have worked hard all year and they still control their own destiny going into the NLC tourney. It’s tough to beat NorthWood on its home course and we certainly didn’t play our best.”

Wawasee was led by Mikala Mawhorter’s 44. Kylee Rostochak (47), Aubrey Schmeltz (46), Kamryn Foy (53) and Madison Beaman (50) rounded out the varsity scores for Wawasee.

Northridge was led by a 59 from Cate Tomkins

Wawasee’s Zoe White took medalist honors in the JV contest.

Wawasee (13-1, 6-1), NorthWood (8-0, 7-0) and Northridge (5-5, 2-5) will all compete in the Culver Academy Invite this Saturday at Swan Lake Country Club.