The Chesterton girls golf team just continues to rack up victories.

The Trojans posted a 323-team score to pick up a nine-shot victory over second place Valparaiso in the Duneland Athletic Conference Tournament at the Brassie on Monday.

“The kids responded well today,” Chesterton coach Dale Hewitt said. “That 323 is a good score out here today.”

Kelly Grassel took medalist honors with a one-under par 71 to edge Valparaiso’s Harley Dubsky (72) and lead the Trojans to the team title.

“I made a 70-foot putt and had a couple of three putts, so it was kind of an up and down day,” Grassel said. “I was able to pull it together and get up and down a lot though. I scrambled a lot but I was pretty happy with it.

“We’ve been really working on the short game and my chipping has gotten a lot better.”

Hewitt has noticed the short-game work paying off across the board for the Trojans.

“Over the season, we’ve really focused on the short game inside of 50 yards,” Hewitt said. “We’re getting better and that’s where the game is won or lost. They are all great ball strikers, so that’s where you can shave off a few strokes.”

Marissa Kroeger and Stephanie Drake each fired an 81 to make sure the Trojans weren’t severely challenged.

“Marissa did a really nice job of coming back on the back nine after a rough front side to shoot 81,” Hewitt said. “We talked to her and calmed her down a little bit at the turn and it’s nice to see Stephanie down where we expect her to be. She played really well today.”

Nicole Dutz shot 90 and Jennifer Kattalia fired a 98 to round out Chesterton’s scoring.

“I feel so much more comfortable out there knowing that my teammates are going to play well,” Grassel said. “I’m so happy for them. It takes the pressure off because I know they’re playing well.”

Team Scores

1. Chesterton, 323; 2. Valparaiso, 332; 3. Crown Point, 363; 4. Lake Central, 381; 5. LaPorte, 402; 6. Portage, 444; 7. Michigan City, 475; 8. Merrillville, 481.

Individual Scores

Chesterton -- Kelly Grassel 71 (Medalist), Marissa Kroeger 81, Stephanie Drake 81, Nicole Dutz 90, Jennifer Kattalia 99.

Valparaiso -- Harley Dubsky 72, Jennifer Gough 87, Brooke Fullenkamp 87, Ellie Gorski 86, Madison Macke 100.

Crown Point -- Christina Hall 92, Alyssa Harvey 90, Lucia Bracco 86, Kaylie Slosson 98, Zoie Matthews 95.

Lake Central -- Kylie Shoemaker 96, Kima Tongsma 93, Jamie Heintz 104, Tori BalickI 98, Meg Falat 94.

LaPorte -- Delanie Alcorn 100, Taylor Thompson 117, Katie Gurnicz 126, Ariana Mendez-Sota 81, Sydney Rusboldt 104.

Portage -- Mackenzie Barcelli 96, Jessica Morris 108, Lauren Murray 107, Autumn Stevenson 134, Gabby Zinkowski 133.

Michigan City -- Paige Mellen 107, Veronika Werner 137, Lizzie Smith 108, Kristen Palmer 126, Claire Werner 134.

Merrillville -- Lauren Carneillo 120, Maggie Connelly 93, Jeanette Burbage 109, Marissa Taylor 159.

Posted 8/16/2011