Bulldogs put up fight

LEMONT -- Batavia's girls golf team knew that it was probably slotted third heading into Tuesday's Class AA St. Ignatius Sectional at Cog Hill No. 1, with the top two teams advancing to this weekend's state meet.

That didn't stop the Bulldogs from putting on one heck of a battle.

Batavia did wind up finishing third with a 348, five strokes shy of second-place Wheaton Warrenville South. Hinsdale Central won the meet with a 342. On the positive side, sophomore Tara Cullerton (82) and junior Megan Ramp (84) each advanced to state as individuals.

"Those were the two teams to beat all season long," Batavia coach Lee Pedraza said. "The girls stood up to them today. They didn't back down. They fought as hard as they could. We just have to go back to work and see if we can get four scores that will be a little bit stronger overall (next season). I'm very proud of the way the girls played overall."

Cullerton was her usual solid self, shooting a 39 on the back nine en route to an 82. But as many of the top golfers in the field explained after their rounds, the cold weather and occasional wind had an effect on play.

"I had a lot of putts that didn't go in," Cullerton said. "It was windy, especially on the back nine, and I left my approach shots pretty far away, leaving some long putts."

It's Cullerton's first trip to state, a nice capper to a breakout season for the sophomore.

"It's very exciting," Cullerton said. "Obviously, I haven't been there yet, so it's new and exciting. We'll see what happens."

Ramp excelled in the No. 3 slot for the Bulldogs, who also got a gutsy performance from No. 2 golfer Kayla Lehman. Lehman carded an 86, two strokes shy of advancement, despite playing with mononucleosis. She was so exhausted after her round that she immediately headed home after getting off the 18th green. Alejandra Serrate's 96 was Batavia's other counting score.

"She got out of her sick bed and just put up a courageous round for the team," Pedraza said. "That was just outstanding. Just really speaks highly to the character of the girl."

Six other area golfers competed as individuals, but none were able to make the individual cut of 84. Coming closest were Geneva's Shannon Delaney and Rosary's Natalie Haines, who each shot 86s. Waubonsie Valley's Cherise Mangal shot an 88, Lauren Hoss of Rosary carded a 96 and Geneva's Mel Schlenker (94) and Emily Comperda (97) also competed.

St. Francis junior Kayla Stueland, a Geneva resident, did advance with an 80.

Pedraza reflected on the accomplishments of his team after the meet.

"For the girls to repeat as regional champions, that was very, very difficult," Pedraza said. "To win conference this season, to win two other invitationals, just very proud of the effort that they put in the entire season."

Kaneland's Hayley Guyton fired a 3-over-par 75 at Ingersoll Golf Course on Monday to earn a spot in this weekend's Class AA state tournament at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale. It will be the junior's third straight trip to state.