MONTGOMERY — Columbus North continued its streak, and Harley Gant made a little history on Saturday.
The Bull Dogs finished second in the Washington Regional to qualify for the Girls Golf State Finals for the seventh consecutive year. Gant became the first girls golfer in Columbus East history to qualify for state.
Top-ranked Evansville North won the regional with a 301 at Country Oaks. No. 7 Columbus North shot 316, and No. 11 Castle edged No. 17 Floyd Central 338-341 to claim the third state-qualifying berth.
Gwen Anderson tied for fourth individually with a 75 to lead the Bull Dogs.
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"I’m really happy with how I played today," Anderson said. "I’m really excited that I could help get my team to state. At sectional, I saw things I needed to work on and get better. I started attacking the pins more and had more opportunities."
North’s Nathaly Munnicha tied for sixth individually with a 78, and Yestika Nischol finished eighth with a 79. Ella Wilks added an 84, and Macy Euler had a 90.
"We played well on the front nine for sure, but had a couple bad holes on the back nine," North coach Scott Seavers said. "Overall, not a bad score, but I think we can do better. Our goal is always to advance at the regional and play in the state tournament, so we’re happy to be moving on."
The Olympians shot a season-best 355 to finish eighth. Gant carded an 82 to claim the fifth and final individual qualifying spot for those not advancing with a team.
"I was relieved that the score I got was able to go, because there were some holes that I didn’t have the best tee shots, and it put me in bad positions," Gant said. "But I was still able to recover from them."
East’s Peyton Meier added an 88. Carter Gant shot 90, Katie Hong had a 95 and Cristen Martinez finished with a 100.
"I’m extremely happy," East coach Kylie Weichman said. "Our 18-hole average was a 370 coming into today, and to beat that by 15 strokes, I’m incredibly proud of how hard they worked and how they played today."
