Delaney Davis watches her tee shot during last week’s East Noble Regional. (File photo by James Costello)

CARMEL — NorthWood posted its best-ever score at Prairie View Golf Club, the Lady Panthers closed the opening round of the IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals in seventh place, and Cybil Stillson finished the day tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard in Carmel.

Stillson carded a 3-over 75, matching her second round score at last year’s state finals. The sophomore holed her second shot on the par 4 17th from 81 yards out for an eagle in a highlight moment Friday. She’s tied for sixth place with Fort Wayne Bishop Luers’ Madeleine Pape. Both are just five shots off leader Morgan Dabagia, who carded a 2-under-par 70 to pace Homestead, which leads the team standings at 302, nine shots ahead of second-place Evansville North.

“Cybil has grown up so much in the last year. She showed that today; she managed her way around Prairie View very well, especially as the wind really picked up in the afternoon,” said NorthWood coach Adam Yoder. “Her improvements around the greens was evident, as well, in that she got up and down from off the green several times for par. She didn’t make any birdies —she did eagle the par 4 17th, though — and in order to move up the leaderboard, she’ll need to convert more of those birdie opportunities tomorrow.”

It was Stillson’s second straight season at the state finals, and each of her teammates were present for that 2018 team state berth as well.

Kirsten Schrock shot a 12-over 84 and sits in 35th place after the first round, Breanna Goss carded a 90, and Delaney Davis finished three shots back at 93 as NorthWood posted a 342 for the day. Makenna Gall shot 97 for the Panthers, who sit eight strokes behind Columbus North with play scheduled to resume for the team on the front nine just before 9 a.m. Saturday.

“It’s always a joy to play at Prairie View on this stage. The Prairie View Staff, IHSAA, IGA, and IHSGCA all collaborate to put a great event,” said Yoder. “Our girls were nervous, as anyone would be, but they are certainly better equipped to handle those nerves because of last year’s experience, plus they’ve all improved their skill levels. That was evident in our front nine play (163). However, we struggled on the back — which traditionally is the tougher nine — by shooting a 179. We must be much better on the back tomorrow to move up the leaderboard. We set a program record for 18 holes on this course with a 342, and we’re very happy about that.”