1, 2, 3 and counting.

The Chesterton girls golf team captured its third consecutive Sectional championship on Saturday at the Valparaiso Country Club.

The Trojans totaled 342 as a team to beat second place Valparaiso by 38 shots (380). Portage was third with a 401, while LaPorte (413) and New Prairie (430) rounded out the top five.

“All the kids played well today,” Chesterton coach Dale Hewitt said. “We were within one stroke of the (Sectional team) record (341). That was a good team that posted that record from Valpo a few years ago, so its nice to be in the same category as someone like that.”

One record did fall as Chesterton freshman Kelly Grassel took medalist honors with her four-over-par 76 that broke the previous Sectional record by four shots (80).

“She kept the ball in play and she’ll tell you she didn’t have her best day,” Hewitt said. “This is a tough course. A 76 on this course is fantastic.”

Grassel didn’t do anything out of the ordinary during the round, but finished it off with a 25-foot putt for par on the 18th green.

“The last hole, I hit a perfect drive and my approach shot went in the sand,” Grassel said. “It was a hard shot with everyone standing around watching. The ball was below my feet and I hit a pretty good shot, but was about 25 feet away.

“I sunk the putt and everybody started cheering and it was probably the coolest putt of my life.”

Grassel did have to fight some nerves early on and battle through two 3-putts during the round.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking on the first tee,” Grassel said. “I don’t know why, but it just was. There were a lot of people. Once I got past the first hole, I was all right.

“But I did have two 3-putts and that was frustrating.”

Grassel was backed up by senior Erin DeVaney who took an eight on the final hole and still carded an 80.

“She finished with a tough hole and her 80 tied the old record,” Hewitt said. “She had a really good day.”

Senior Hayley Miller fired an 89, while freshman Marissa Kroeger shot 97. Sophomore Stephanie Drake shot 101 to round out the scoring.

“Hayley battled today and did what she had to do,” Hewitt said. “Marissa’s the only freshman I’ve had under 100 here, except Kelly. That’s pretty good.

“Stephanie hit the first shot of the tournament and striped it right down the middle. Her fingers are bandaged and she struggled with that, but really played well.”

The Trojans will advance to next Saturday’s LaPorte Regional at Beechwood with a second consecutive trip to the IHSAA State Finals on the line.

“I think we’re pretty close right now and Beechwood is a place we’ve played several times,” Hewitt said. “We’ll have to battle Penn and whoever comes over and see what we can do.”

“Today we didn’t reach our full potential,” Grassel said. “I’m excited for Regionals.”

1. Chesterton, 342; 2. Valparaiso, 380; 3. Portage, 401; 4. LaPorte, 413; 5. New Prairie, 430; 6. Wheeler, 441; 7. Hobart, 443; 8. Michigan City, 455; 9. MC Marquette, 484; 10. Boone Grove, 577.

Chesterton – Kelly Grassel 76 (Medalist), Erin DeVaney 80, Hayley Miller 89, Marissa Kroeger 97, Stephanie Drake 101.

Valparaiso – Kelly Copeland 92, Susan Friedlander 92, Lyndsey Holmes 94, Ellie Gorski 102.

Portage – Sarah Dienes 90, Nessa Junyanid 93, Lauren Murray 106, Kenzie Barcelli 112.

LaPorte – Sara Benefiel 93, Lisa Mullen 96, Stephanie Klingenmeier 102, Jenna Francisco 122.

New Prairie – Lauren O’Malley 103, Alysia Hendricks 105, Chelsea Purkal 107, Morgan Grimm 115.

Wheeler – Brianne Michaels 103, Laurin Guernsey 107, Emily Sell 113, Tijana Raketic 118.

Hobart – Allison Smith 101, Teague Pawlak 111, Marina Tiplod 111, Aimee Pop 120.

Michigan City – Cecelia Gussman 97, Laura Bennett 116, Maggie Gondeck 118, Gretchen Billys 124.

MC Marquette – Mary Katherine Slattery 87, Erin Krueger 121, Ashley Dickson 135, Maureen McDonald 141.

Boone Grove – Kristen Kleban 112, Elizabeth Buth 123, Gabrielle Hall 170, Cheryl Guest 172.

South Central – Sydney Bailey 87.

Posted 9/21/2009