News Summary

Central Illinois high school golfers showcased their talent at the IHSA State Finals, held in Bloomington-Normal and Decatur. With 22 individuals and four teams from Peoria competing, standout performances included East Peoria’s Connor Watson landing in the top five. Numerous awards were distributed, including trophies for top teams and state medals for top golfers. Amelia Dunseth earned recognition as the 2024 Girls Golfer of the Year. The event emphasized the remarkable skills and dedication of young athletes in the region.

Central Illinois High School Golfers Shine at IHSA State Finals Despite Tough Competition

It’s been quite the summer for high school golfers in Central Illinois, and their hard work and dedication certainly paid off at the recent IHSA State Finals. Held across the beautiful courses of Bloomington-Normal and Decatur, this event showcased the best young golfing talent from the area, and let’s just say – they did not disappoint!

Rolling into the Finals

This year, the stage was set with a whopping 22 individuals and four teams hailing from the Peoria area, all on a mission to take the championship title. Among them, East Peoria senior Connor Watson proved to be a phenomenal standout. With a stellar performance, he earned himself a spot in the top-five finishers, adding some serious bragging rights for both himself and his school!

All About the Trophies

At the heart of the competition, trophies were up for grabs for the top three teams in each of the Class 1A, Class 2A, and Class 3A boys finals, as well as for the Class 1A and Class 2A girls finals. But that’s not all! The top 10 golfers in each category were showered with state medals, making it a truly memorable experience for all participants.

Spotlight on the Rising Stars

Among the high achievers, Amelia Dunseth from Stillman Valley was a prominent figure, earning the title of the Rockford Register Star’s 2024 Girls Golfer of the Year. With her impressive game, she was able to consistently hit fairways and greens, impressively avoiding tricky spots throughout her matches. Dunseth capped off a stellar career, having won the Big Northern Conference title in both her junior and senior years, and making the all-conference team four times!

Notable Performances on the Course

Other girls on the All-Area girls golf team posted solid performances as well. For instance, Hampilos claimed 14th in Class 2A with a score of 151, while Kalt held her ground at 43rd with a score of 162. There was also Pieschel, who made a mark in Class 1A with a score of 167, landing her 23rd place. And let’s not forget Pierson, who led her team to a conference title while securing 24th in Class 2A with a score of 156.

Other competitors shone brightly, with Guse finishing fifth in Class 1A at 148, and Brown and Luna tying for 17th in Class 1A, both scoring 153. Finishing points varied, with Baker and Beto trailing closely behind at 27th and 33rd in Class 2A.

Boys Team Highlights

On the boys’ front, Chatham Glenwood made quite a showing, securing their spot in Class 3A for the finals at Fox Creek Golf Course. Jacksonville’s boys team held their heads high, also qualifying in Class 2A after finishing second in their sectional. As for Sacred Heart-Griffin, they were chasing after the Class 1A girls team title following their sectional win.

A special shout-out goes to Drew Downen from Chatham Glenwood, who advanced to the state finals this year after a narrow miss last time. Alongside him, teammate Derek Dulceak showcased his talents, finishing 14th in the sectional.

Impressive Accomplishments

Lemont also had a strong showing with junior Joey Scott breaking school records during the 2024 IHSA Class 2A Boys’ Golf State Finals. Scott tied for 7th place and finished with a career-best score of +5 147 at the state finals, earning well-deserved all-state recognition. The Lemont boys team improved their score during the second round, finishing 8th overall.

As the tournament wrapped up, Ottawa emerged victorious, clinching the Class 2A State Championship with a total score of +41 609. Additional Lemont golfers making their way into the state finals were Matt Devoy, who tied for 27th overall, and Aidan Leonard, who placed 70th. All in all, the talent from Central Illinois was nothing short of remarkable this year!

Here’s hoping next year brings even more success and excitement for these young golfers!

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