No room for doubt

Waubonsie Valley's Cherise Mangal has a little fun on 17 during Wednesday's Neuqua Valley Regional at Naperbrook Golf Course. Mangal qualified for sectional competition with an 88. donnell collins / For the Beacon News
(Donnell Collins/For The Beacon-News)

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PLAINFIELD -- They left no doubt.

Batavia's girls golf team entered the Class 3A Neuqua Valley Regional at Naperbrook Golf Course on Wednesday a heavy favorite, and by the end it was clear why. The Bulldogs, paced by super sophomores Tara Cullerton and Kayla Lehman, cruised to a 22-stroke victory over their nearest rivals to repeat as regional champions.

Cullerton claimed medalist honors by shooting 5-over-par 77 on the 5,942-yard course. Lehman was second at 81.

"I'm very proud of them," coach Leon Pedraza said of his team. "A lot of times it's tougher to be the one on top and expected to play well than to be the one coming from behind. Accolades to the girls to be able to handle the pressure today."

Also scoring for Batavia were Megan Ramp (90) and Alejandra Serrate (95).

Naperville Central (365) and Naperville North (374) took second and third, respectively, to also qualify for Tuesday's St. Ignatius Sectional at Cog Hill No. 1.

The top eight individuals not on a qualifying team also advance. Other area qualifiers were Waubonsie Valley's Cherise Mangal (88) and Rosary's Natalie Haines (89) and Lauren Hoss (92).

Cullerton went out in 5-over 41 and shot even-par 36 on the back nine.

"On the front I was hitting the ball well but I had 20 putts," she said. "The greens were fast and undulating, but it was really windy and I couldn't get my approach shots very close so I had some long putts."

Still, she was steady, posting nothing but pars or bogeys on her scorecard.

"No birdies, no doubles," she said. "Just consistent, and I got better on the back with 17 putts."

Pedraza couldn't have been more pleased.

"We've never had a regional or sectional (individual) champ before," he said. "Tara is breaking new ground for our program and I'm just thrilled that it's her that's doing it because she has such a great temperament and a great attitude when it comes to her golf game.

"She's been leading the team with her play but she's so steady and even-keeled. A sophomore with that maturity is just outstanding."

Lehman, who was second individually for the second straight year, was pretty steady, too.

"I had no big ups and downs," she said. "It was all pars and bogeys. There was a little bit of pressure (as a team) to repeat, but (winning both) feel equally the same."

The race for the third and final team sectional berth was tight, with 22 strokes separating Naperville North and the ninth-place hosts. Waubonsie Valley (382) was fifth and Rosary (390) seventh. Metea Valley (10th, 426), West Aurora (427) and Aurora Central (538) rounded out the 12-team field.

This will be the third straight trip to sectionals for the Royals' Haines and second for Hoss.

"I got off to a rocky start but then got into the swing of things," Haines said.

Rosary coach Scott Walker said his team's play improved as the temperature rose during the course of the day.

"This regional was really tough compared to the field we had (at Minooka) last year," he said. "But Natalie and Lauren both were right at their averages."