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BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS
Sports Editor, RTC
WINAMAC — Olivia Bailey shot a personal best 40 over nine holes to earn medalist honors and lead the Rochester girls golf team to wins over host Winamac and Knox in a three-way match at Moss Creek Golf Club Monday.
Rochester shot a 177, Winamac had a 201, and Knox shot 214.
Payton Moore added a 41, Ava Thomas had a 47, Delaney Barkman had a 49, and Savanah Eccles had a 57.
Bailey was in the No. 1 spot in the Rochester lineup to start the season. Rochester coach Chad Thomas put her in the No. 2 spot Monday.
“Her ball striking was really good,” coach Thomas said. “She didn’t have any big numbers tonight, which was a good thing. She still needs to clean up some of the short game, just like all the other girls. But her ball striking was really good.”
Moore’s 41 included two penalty strokes.
“She was just consistent,” coach Thomas said. “Overall she hit the ball decent. Take away a couple bad swings with penalty shots, but other than that, pretty solid all-around for her. Her length has gotten better. She’s getting longer off the tee, and that’s helped her out a lot here this year as well.”
Barkman bounced back after shooting a 116 at the Western Invitational at Chippendale Golf Course in Kokomo Saturday.
“She struggled at Western at Chippendale, and I know she went out (Sunday) and played on her own and tried to work out some things with her dad, and so I think that helped and gave her some confidence, I think. She advanced the ball down the fairway better today and avoided some of the big numbers she had at Chippendale.”
Bianca Huizar shot a 43 to lead Winamac. Olivia Link had a 47, Sierra Haschel had a 54, Maggie Smith had a 57, and Grace Wenzler had a 60.
Jaelynn Goins led Knox with a 47.
Avery Brouyette, Rochester’s lone JV player, had a 56.
at Moss Creek Golf Club, Winamac, Monday (back nine, par 36)
ROCHESTER (177): Olivia Bailey 40, Payton Moore 41, Ava Thomas 47, Delaney Barkman 49, (Savanah Eccles 57)
WINAMAC (201): Bianca Huizar 43, Olivia Link 47, Sierra Haschel 54, Maggie Smith 57, (Grace Wenzler 60)
KNOX (214): Jaelynn Goins 47, Erin Messer 51, Joie Montague 53, Bethany Barns 63, (Peyton May 66)
ROCHESTER JV: Avery Brouyette 56
