DARLINGTON – The Darlington girls’ golf team had hopes to hoist the conference title on their home course, but their counterparts from the Southwestern/Benton/Cuba City co-op shot down those hopes with a top-notch performance at the 2016 SWAL-SWC Meet held at the Darlington Country Club on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
    After waiting out a two-hour rain delay, the Wildcats turned in three of the top five finishes at the meet and carded an 18-hole score of 387 to run away with the team title by 15 strokes over the Lady Redbirds, who fired a season-best round of 402 to finish in second-place.
    “The team shot very well. They stayed in the fight through all 18 holes and that is all that we could hope for. Unfortunately for us, SW-CC-B had a better score and we came up a little short, but it is nothing for us to hang our heads on,” said Darlington head coach Molly Rice.  
    Four-time defending champion Lancaster pulled in third at 444, followed by Prairie du Chien in last at 463.
    Lancaster senior Brooke Marcue fired a 14-over 84 to claim the conference individual medalist honor at the meet. Wildcats’ senior Bailee Bussan, who golfed with the Redbirds as a freshman and a sophomore, finished second with an 87, while Darlington senior Kinsey Gould was third at 92.
    SW/B/CC’s Chloe Riniker (93) and Kate Wright (97) were the only other golfers to shoot under 100 on the day. Lexi Fladseth scored a 108 to help the ‘Cats earn the crown.
    Senior Alexi Wagner shot a 100 for the ‘Birds. Her sophomore sister, Kennedy, followed with a 102, and senior Cora Carpenter came in with a 108 to help the Redbirds (29-2 overall) post their best 18-hole score of the season.
    “I am so proud of our overall record and success this year. The team worked hard in the off-season, so they are well deserving of each and every win,” stated Rice. “This team has really stepped up this year and brought pride back into the program. They are a special group of girls, and should be very proud of what they have done.”  
    At Darlington, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Redbirds shot down Lena-Winslow, 197-232, in a non-conference dual meet match.
    Alexi Wagner and Kinsey Gould tied for medalist honors with rounds of 46 for the ‘Birds. Kennedy Wagner tallied a 51 and Cora Carpenter shot a 54 for the hosts.
    The post-season began on Wednesday, Sept. 28, with the Lady Redbirds heading to Madison’s Odana Hills Golf Course to compete in a WIAA Division 2 regional meet. The competition tees off at 9 a.m.
    The top four finishing teams at the regional and the top four individuals who are not members of one of the qualifying teams advance to Wisconsin Dells D2 sectional meet at Trappers Turn on Monday. Oct. 3, starting at 8:30 a.m.
    “We need to continue to play consistant as a team and stay mentally tough from hole to hole.  If we do that, I believe we have a chance of doing well in the post-season,” Rice added.  

SWAL/SWC CONFERENCE MEET
Team Scores: Southwestern/Benton/Cuba City 387, Darlington 402, Lancaster 444, Prairie du Chien 463.

Scores: Brooke Marcue, L, 84.

Darlington Scores: Kinsey Gould 92, Alexi Wagner 100, Kennedy Wagner 102, Cora Carpenter 108, Sydney Brandt 122.
At Darlington CC, Par 70

Darlington 197, Lena-Winslow 232.
Co-Medalist: Alexi Wagner, D, & Kinsey Gould, D, 46.

Darlington Individual Scores: Alexi Wagner 46, Kinsey Gould 46, Kennedy Wagner 51, Cora Carpenter 54, Sydney Brandt 58. LW Individual Scores: Scheider 47, H. Enck 56, Setterstrom 62, Trimble 67, A. Enck 68.

JV Individual Scores: Darlington– Maggie Nordquist 58, Allison Thompson 68. LW– Woolcock 91.
At Darlington CC, par 35