Two golfers from Fenwick and another from OPRF competed in the IHSA state finals last weekend. Each school had a competitor in the girls Class 2A finals, held Oct. 18-19 at Hickory Point in Decatur. OPRF sophomore Nadia Vattana shot a two-day total of 166 to finish in a tie for 55th among individuals.
“Nadia played really well,” said OPRF coach Matt McMurray. “She was really scrappy, especially on the first day. She didn’t have her “A” game, but she grew a lot and played right through it. Her goal the next day was to shoot better, and she did.”
Following an 84 on Friday, Vattana was two strokes better on Saturday, carding an 82.
“As a sophomore, to come down and play as well as she did bodes well for the next two years and I’m excited to see what she can do,” McMurray said. “She played her best golf at the end, which is most important, and the final round was some of the best I’ve seen her play.”
Vattana, along with junior Courtney Moore, will lead a vastly different team next season, with six players departing due to graduation.
“We’ve got a couple of sophomores who saw their first varsity action this fall, and some other sophomores and freshmen I’m excited to see,” McMurray said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they develop their games in the offseason, and hopefully we’ll have a pretty strong team next year.”
Also at Hickory Point, Fenwick sophomore Mairin Sweeney shot rounds of 87 and 90 respectively to finish 77th in her second consecutive finals.
“Mairin did great,” said Fenwick girls coach Mike Trankina. “She made it to the final day, which has been our goal the last two years. I’m hoping that either next year or the following year, she can finish in the top 25 (which would merit All-State status).
Overall, Trankina felt the Friars had a fine season. The varsity finished second at both the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference and Class 2A St. Ignatius Regional tournaments, while the junior varsity won conference.
“It was our best conference showing in some time,” Trankina said. “It was a very competitive year; the girls played great as a team.”
Sweeney, along with junior twin sisters Kate and Maddie Cox, will look to lead Fenwick next season.
At the Class 2A boys state finals, held at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, Fenwick junior Luke Sherlock carded respective rounds of 76 and 87 to finish with a two-day total of 163, good for a 57th-place tie. On Friday, Sherlock nailed an eagle on the 15th hole.
“I’m impressed with how Luke competed throughout much of the tournament,” said Fenwick boys coach Jerry Kribs. “Most importantly, Luke gained valuable experience that will serve him and the team well next season. I have no doubt that he will be back in 2025.”