By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The stage is grand and intense, the golf course unforgiving and vicious for the unprepared or overwhelmed. The IHSAA state championship is not for the faint of heart of fearful. Nor should it be. It’s the test to determine the best.
Bedford North Lawrence, for the third consecutive year and the 11th time in program history, will be among the worthy for the final stage of the state tournament series. The Stars, unranked after starting the year in the poll, will battle 17 other teams for the ultimate prize.
Realism will make the journey with them to Prairie View. The Stars have no delusions of grandeur. They finished 14th a year ago, 15th in 2022, so continuing that upward trend is the goal. Only 24 programs have been there more in state history, and their best finish was third in 1977 (amidst the first threepeat run from 1976-78). Getting there is the glory.
“I think it’s a big accomplishment and something to be very proud of,” BNL coach Kori Johnston said. “This program has a long history of success, and us going for the third straight year is another star on the wall but also a nod to those that played before us. Every accomplishment this program has achieved has helped in inspiring future Lady Stars and ultimately continuing that success.
“We take a lot of pride in our team and in representing the program as a whole. We know what it means to be a Lady Stars golfer, and we will continue working hard and chasing big goals for years to come.”
The BNL fivesome will include three with experience at this level. Ellie Horton, the lone senior, will join junior Kinleigh Root and sophomore Sammie Nusbaum for a return visit. Two freshman, the Emma duo of Endris and Voris, will make their first finals appearance, although they saw the course earlier this season when the Stars competed in the State Preview tournament.
“Our goal is to finish top 10,” Johnston said. “We have the ability and potential to do it if we just trust our swings and believe we can execute the shots we need to execute. Simple golf is good golf. As long as we hit our targets and don’t let emotions get in the way, we will be just fine.”
That’s the key. The intimidation factor is real. The course, which can play tough and rough at 5,600 yards, with multiple hazards lurking to swallow stray shots, is longer than anything else BNL plays. Root, Horton and Nusbaum all shot in the 90s both rounds last year, so there’s some personal revenge at stake.
“It is a really tough course, but as long as you pick your spots and reach those spots with confidence, you should be fine,” Root said. “
“Last year, I remember freaking out,” Nusbaum said. “But this year, I realized the course is not as hard. It will be nerves.”
“I don’t think they’ll ever get over the intimidation completely,” Johnston said. “We have played the course but it feels very different at the state finals. Crowds are bigger, competition is better, and pressure is heightened. It’s an exciting weekend on the biggest stage in high school golf and we know it’s an honor to even be there competing.
“But ultimately it comes down to who can block out all the noise and take it one shot at a time. That’s something we preach all season, and the state finals is just the final test of our ability to stay locked in and play our games, regardless of what’s happening around us.”
How will the freshmen react? Endris has been solid at the second position in the lineup but struggled during the State Preview event. Voris has been consistent in the fifth spot. Their teammates will offer advice.
“Play with confidence,” Horton said. “You won’t play well if you don’t have confidence in yourself. Nerves are pretty high, because it is the state finals and you are playing really good teams. That has affected us in the past.”
“Play it safe, don’t go for it if you don’t feel comfortable,” said Root, who shot a respectable 86 to finish 24th in the Preview field in August, although the Stars carded 377 that day. “If you can’t get to the hole, it’s OK. Play for par, take home bogey.”
BNL, coming off a 12th straight sectional title and the regional runner-up finish at Country Oaks, just wants to add to its legacy.
“I’ve said it a few times this season, but this team is truly something special,” Johnston said. “They are a unique group of girls, all with very different games, but they mesh together well. They aren’t afraid to help each other out, but will also give some tough love when it’s needed. That’s the true test of a good teammate and they do a pretty great job of it.”
Carmel is the defending champion. Westfield is ranked No.1 in the final poll.
The Stars will tee off on the back nine between 9-9:40 a.m. for the first round.
