
With the sun baking Palmira Golf Club, the temperature in the high 80s and a heat index of more than 90 degrees, Wednesday’s weather adversely impacted players at the Lake Central Invitational.
That included Alexis Miestowski, last season’s state champion.
The Indians junior did not complete the event.
On Wednesday night, Lake Central coach Chris Rossiano said he didn’t have a full report on Miestowski, but based on the conditions, her withdrawal may have been heat-related.
Miestowski’s father came from work to pick her up, Rossiano said.
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“I can tell you that she was significantly better when she left the course than she was (earlier),” Rossiano said.
Miestowski tweeted on Wednesday night that she was leaving the hospital and “everything is OK.”
Miestowski was leading at 2-over-par through 16 holes. She initially took a double-par — the maximum score — on each of her last two holes, but her result officially was recorded as a withdrawal.
NorthWood senior Summer Stillson was the medalist with a 6-over 78.
Valparaiso senior Elise Lee was second at 7-over 79 and freshman Wynne Aldrich was third at 8-over 80, helping the Vikings win the team title with a 335.
Crown Point finished second at 350, and Lake Central third at 357.
Munster’s Nicole Howard finished in sole possession of fourth place at 10-over 82.
The Mustangs (364) and NorthWood (369) rounded out the top five teams.
Valparaiso won the tournament in 2012 and ’13, before Lake Central won each of the last two seasons.
Vikings coach Bill Miller was happy with the way his team performed, matching the sixth-place 335 it shot at Tuesday’s season-opening Lafayette Jefferson Invitational.
“With the heat and the difficulty of this course, I’m extremely pleased,” he said. “We had 335 at Battle Ground and this course is much tougher — more trouble, tougher greens — so 335 is an excellent score.
“With that being said, there’s still room for improvement with our team. But I’m extremely pleased with the start of our season.”
Miller said Lee and Aldrich, who shot her second straight 80, both “stepped up,” particularly with the Vikings having only four players in the absence of No. 3 Ema Gilliana.
Lee, proudly holding the tournament trophy, generally liked the way she played, including carding a 1-over over her final nine holes.
“It was really hot, so I tried to drink a lot of water,” she said. “I was able to hold it together with my short game, my chipping and putting, even though my shots weren’t as good as I wanted them to be. My short game helped.
“It’s great to win this as a team. It can set the tone for the rest of the season.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff