As the lone returning girls golfer at Marian Catholic this season, Mira Nicpon decided to cut her teeth playing with the boys.
“At first, I wasn’t sure about it,” Nicpon said. “I was nervous when I started, but that ended fast. The team and the coach were super welcoming, and I played as the No. 1, so they thought it was cool I was putting up scores.”
Nicpon was finally given an even playing field Tuesday at the Class 2A Shepard Regional in her first girls tournament of the year. She proved why she was considered Marian’s ace.
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Nicpon fired a 3-over 74 to top the 64-player field at Lincoln Oaks in Crete. She put together a consistent round that included two birdies after finishing as the regional runner-up last season.
“This was a huge adjustment,” Nicpon said of changing to the girls tees. “The yardages were so much shorter. I hadn’t used my wedges all season because I’ve been hitting hybrids into par 4s on the boys tees. In some ways, (Tuesday) was a little harder to be aggressive.
“It helped a lot playing with the boys team, though, especially my short game. I wish I would have done it my junior year, too. It was so much fun.”
Nicpon, who’s mulling offers from a handful of colleges, edged out Sandburg’s Hannah Kilbane (76) and Emilyee McGiles (78) for top honors.
Kilbane, a sophomore, and McGiles, a senior Southern Illinois recruit, helped Sandburg cruise to the team title with a 330. Fourth-place finisher Morgan Howard (87) and Jenna Perdue (89) also contributed for the Eagles.
“This was definitely more relaxing than last year because I didn’t know what to expect,” Kilbane said of her freshman season. “Everyone is so great on the team. The team’s really helped me be relaxed and not stressed.”
For McGiles, it was her fourth straight contribution to a regional championship team. She said it was extra special to be back at Lincoln Oaks for one of her last postseason tournaments.
McGiles was the regional champion at Lincoln Oaks last year with a 3-under 68, which she credited for sparking her college recruitment.
“This is the tournament that started it all for me last year,” said McGiles, noting that score placed her on recruiting lists. “It’s definitely special. I love playing here. I was disappointed I didn’t play a little better, but it’s just one round. I’ll come back at sectionals and play better.”
Marist and Mother McAuley will join Sandburg at Tuesday’s Lockport Sectional after posting 380s to finish second and third, respectively.
Maggie Mahoney (93) and Maddie Thompson (95) paced Marist, which took second on a fifth-score tiebreaker.
Aine McKillop (93) and Morgan Hernandez (94) led Mother McAuley.
Stagg’s Danielle Collina finished fifth with an 88. Collina is one of 10 individuals from non-qualifying teams to advance to sectionals.
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.