Summer Stillson and NorthWood will head to the IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals for the second time in three years. (Photos by Mike Deak)

CARMEL – It’s time for some redemption. Or another opportunity. Or experience. Whatever the case may be, the state golf tournament won’t be a completely new thing for the area golfers heading to Prairie View Golf Club this weekend.

NorthWood will be making its second trip to the state finals in three years, and it’s core has seen this before. As a sophomore, Linnzie Richner, and freshman Summer Stillson, made state as NorthWood’s first team to reach the finals. They will have another shot as senior and junior to further what has been quite a run of late by the Panther golf team. Winners outright of the Northern Lakes Conference for the first time ever, NorthWood took second as a team at the Warsaw sectional and East Noble regional and are embarking on a record-setting season.

Linnzie Richner has been a student of the game, leading NorthWood all season.

NorthWood, which went 12-0 in dual matches this season, has not lost a dual in two years. The 325 shot at the regional was a school record for 18 holes, and anything lower than 361 at state for 18 holes or 736 for 36 holes will set more school marks. NorthWood finished 15th in 2013, and coach Adam Yoder is confident his team has much more in the tank in its second state appearance.

“I feel this group has a lot left to prove,” Yoder said. “We have had a great season already, but I don’t think these girls are ready to just fold up the tent and be happy making it to state. For Linnzie, it’s her last chance to go out there and show what she can do. And we still have plenty to strive for, and am excited to see what we can do.”

The regional run for NorthWood was highlighted by a 77 from Richner, but also a 77 from freshman Mackenzie Weaver, how lowest-ever score for 18 holes, tournament or otherwise. NorthWood opens Friday with Abby Slabaugh teeing off from No. 1 at 8:57 a.m.

Wawasee’s Mikala Mawhorter will golf in a second state finals, this time as an individual.

For Wawasee senior Mikala Mawhorter, it will be a bittersweet return to the state finals. Qualifying as an individual with a career-best 75 at Noble Hawk last weekend, Mawhorter was the shining star from Wawasee’s team scores, but the only Lady Warrior to return to the state finals. Wawasee qualified for state in 2014, and were Warsaw Sectional champions with the top score (332) coming into the regional field. But a fifth-place finish knocked the team out, leaving Mawhorter’s score the lone bag left to load on the bus this week.

“My past years of coming to regionals by myself, it’s a lot,” Mawhorter said of advancing without the team. Mawhorter will tee off on No. 1 at 8:48 a.m. “There is nobody to talk to other than some of the girls, but they don’t know you like the team knows you.

“I am sad we didn’t make it out as a team. I am glad that I made it out. As a team, it’s a lot more enjoyable.”

Rochester’s Kinley Lingenfelter will make her fourth trip to the state finals, now her second year in a row as an individual. Rochester’s team made state her first two years as a Zebra golfer, and the senior has only gotten better with age. Shooting a 179 and 180 her first two years at state, Lingenfelter shot a 165 as an individual last year to tie for 24th overall. Shooting a 75 at the regional, Lingenfelter tied Mawhorter for second overall in the individual standings. Lingenfelter begins her state tournament with an 8:30 a.m. tee on No. 1.

Penn and Leo return to the state finals as teams, qualifying from East Noble. Penn won the regional with a 315, led by Cassidy Jurkaites’ 71. Leo made it out on a fifth-man score to make its 329 hold up.

The IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at the same time with 15 teams and 25 individuals vying for the glory. Defending state champion Evansville North returns after winning the Washington Regional with a 306 and individual champion Cherise Otter, from Bloomington South, will defend her title after shooting a 71 at the Washington Regional.