— Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
It’s a sentiment St. Charles North can relate to after another near-miss at the Class 2A state finals.
For the third year in a row, the North Stars placed fourth in the 12-team field at Hickory Point — one spot away from bringing home an a team trophy.
“We’re able to get here, but when it comes to state, it’s harder because the course gets longer, and there’s more pressure, and that’s what we have trouble with,” said junior Sarah Arnold, who fired rounds of 77 and 76 to place 23rd individually.
“I’m feeling pretty sad right now because I know we’re able to do it. We’ll definitely be stronger next year. We want that top three spot.”
Six strokes over two days is all that separated St. Charles North (625) from third-place Hinsdale Central.
New Trier (603) took home the state championship led by individual medalist Penelope Tir, who shot even-par 144. Barrington finished second at 613.
While the disappointment was palpable for St. Charles North, the program has established itself as one of the best in Illinois with five consecutive trips to the state finals.
And the best part? All six starters are slated to return next season.
“Reflecting on being a few short is hard, but I’m so proud of them for playing good golf for two days in a really tough field,” coach Irish Whalen said.
It was a season full of special moments, including the late and unexpected return of Duke recruit Megan Furtney.
Furtney, a junior, lost the tip of her left pinkie finger in a freak accident over the summer.
“There were definitely some questions if I’d be back or not,” said Furtney, who was injured when the seat of her dining room chair detached from its base, clamping down on her finger.
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“After my first surgery, the skin on top (of the pinkie) died and there was exposed bone, so I had to go get a second surgery. It was a waiting game. I was back a week-and-a-half before conference. I practiced my short game like a maniac over the summer. That’s about all I could do.”
The dedication paid off.
Furtney shot 148 to tie for eighth, good for her third all-state performance in as many years. The top 10 individuals receive state medals.
“Everyone works so hard on our team,” Furtney said. “We’re going to learn from this and come back.”
Emma Hayes (160) tied for 47th, and Katelyn David (164) tied for 61st for St. Charles North.
Furtney wasn’t the only high-profile recruit on the podium.
Waubonsie Valley senior Arushi Singh, an Indiana commit, tied for fifth at 147. The even-par 72 on Saturday was her best round in four years at the state finals.
“My whole goal was to make top 10 or top five,” Singh said. “I wasn’t thinking much of my score or where I was on the leaderboard. I just wanted to play my best, and I definitely think I did that.”
Geneva’s Darby Lillbridge tied for 23rd with a two-day score of 153.
Batavia senior Madison McCoy (156) concluded her career in a tie for 35th.
Oswego East’s Kiana Krahulik (158) tied for 41st, while Yorkville sophomore Kait Natividad (164) tied for 61st.
In Class 1A, St. Edward senior Jordan Mattas tied for 27th at 167, and Elgin Academy junior Neha Karna (169) tied for 32nd.
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.