By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Four years together ended with a group hug on the final green. Time is a vapor that vanishes, and the best of times for Bedford North Lawrence’s three-player senior class concluded in similar fashion. Here for a moment, gone before you know it.
The Stars celebrated Senior Night, and the careers of their upperclass trio, with a front-nine victory over Brownstown on Thursday at Otis Park. It was also the final course work prior to the postseason, which begins on Saturday, but the farewell tours for Ellie Horton, Madi Crane and Jasmine Nguyen overshadowed that. This regular-season wrap was their going-away gift, as they played together and walked off together.
They went out with the customary pomp and success as BNL fired a team total of 169 to top Brownstown (216).
“It’s really bittersweet,” Crane said. “I’ve made so many new memories and friends with this team, it’s really sad to go. I can’t really believe it’s over.”
The memories have been made: the bus rides on road trips, the putting games, the laughs, and even a few tears. “Sometimes, golf is not that stressful,” Crane said. Sometimes, it is. Senior Night is one that can be, but these Stars took it in stride.
“It’s crazy that it’s been four years,” said Nguyen, who bowed to peer pressure to play the sport and ended up loving it. “It taught me abut teamwork and getting along with other people.”
Horton has been a fixture with the varsity unit, one of the standouts for sectional and regional championships, on state finals teams. She started the game at 8 years old. She has invested the most.
“It’s sad,” she said. “It’s exciting to go to the next step, but I wish I could take people with me. The connections I’ve made with people is something I will never forget. That’s important to me.
“I love that, even though it’s not easy, it challenges me. It brings out the best in me. It can also bring out the worst, but I like that it brings out the best, most of the time.”
And they learned something for life – “Patience,” Crane said with a smile. “Lots of patience.”
They will soon go divergent ways. Crane and Nguyen plan to major in the medical field, Horton in business. They have left their mark on the program as the first four-year class under coach Kori Johnston.
“They’re a special group,” Johnston said. “They’ve been with me from the start. They have a lot of energy.”
On the course, Kinleigh Root bounced back from recent struggles with a 2-over 39 that included a birdie on the ninth hole. Horton carded 42, and Emma Endris added 43. Emma Voris capped the team scoring with 45.
“We’ve got a little bit of work to do,” Johnston said. “Senior Night, we take it with a little grain of salt, everyone is uptight. Scores usually jump. It was nice to see Root back to her normal game. I think we’ll be OK.”
BNL will host the IHSAA sectional and seek its 12th consecutive team title on Saturday, with the Stars hitting the course at 9:03-9:39 a.m. The top three teams will advance to the regional at Country Oaks on Sept. 28.
BNL 169, Brownstown 216, BNL B 217
BNL – Kinleigh Root 39, Emma Endris 43, Ellie Horton 42, Sammie Nusbaum 50, Emma Voris 45
Brownstown – Abby Schroer 49, Jayda Clodfelder 48, Claire Brelage 65, Mairi Shaw 54, Kayleigh Jernigan 67, Kinsley Schroeder 67
BNL B – Kadynn Canada 57, Jasmine Nguyen 50, Madi Crane 56, Claire Edwards 54
Springs Valley – Dallas Hendrix 47
