MARYSVILLE — Avery Thompson did everything she could control on the golf course Monday.
Everything else fell into place for the Lakewood senior. Thompson fired a 1-over par 73 at Darby Creek, taking co-medalist honors during the Division II district tournament.
“I was praying last night and really hoped today goes my way,” Thompson said. “Fortunately, I was able to sink some putts to save for par and birdie.”
Thompson finished her round and waited another hour to hear the news she wanted. She had earned her first trip to the state tournament.
Thompson arrived at Darby Creek with mixed emotions. She and her older sister Abby, who now plays at Tiffin University, along with their Lakewood teammates had seen so many previous seasons end there.
“It’s definitely exciting, and waiting there for an hour got me really anxious,” said Thompson, who plays at Ohio State’s Gray Course on Oct. 13 and 14. “I have done golf since I was 5 and never expected that I would be here going to college to play (at Findlay) and now making it to states, it’s definitely a whirlwind of emotions, and I’m very blessed that I was able to accomplish my goal and have so many people supporting me.”
Thompson’s 73 tied Columbus Academy freshman Eva Lim, who led the Vikings to the team title. Thompson took the one individual qualifying spot, finishing a stroke ahead of Columbus School for Girls junior Kristina Ma and two ahead of Lakewood classmate Lexi French.
Thompson’s one hiccup was a double-bogey on the Par-3 No. 7. She, however, recorded pars the rest of the way with the exception of a birdie on No. 12, a short Par 4.
“I tried to just let it go as my dad always says. The next shot is what you need to focus on,” Thompson said. “If it didn’t go my way, I could at least leave her thinking I did my best and gave it a shot.”
A bad hole tripped up French, but she concluded a stellar senior season. She was consistently in the 70s throughout the season, and she bettered her score at the district tournament by 12 strokes.
“I was just trying to stay low and started out pretty good, but then I took a four-putt,” French said. “That could easily put me two strokes down to tie for first, but overall, I am happy with how I did. I recovered well.”
Newark Catholic sophomore Caylee Lattimer finished with a bang, placing fifth with a 77, a 16-stroke improvement from last season.
Lattimer eagled Par-5 No. 17. She then dropped her approach shot to within five feet on No. 18.
“I was hoping to do a little bit better. My drives were pretty good. I could have worked on my iron shots, but overall, I had a decent day,” Lattimer said. “Last year, I didn’t do so well here. This year, I wanted to do better because I have grown a lot more and I just wanted to get a lot of strokes off.”
Utica senior Olivia Dickson tied for eighth with an 83. She helped start the girls program three years ago and now finishes as a two-time Licking County League first-teamer and with a top-10 district finish.
NC sophomore Sam Spearman shot 85, Heath sophomore Reagan Kelly 88 and Lakewood junior Lauren Griffith 89. NC seniors Reagan James, who made a 15-foot par putt on the final shot of her career, and Natalie Holsky each shot 98.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Lakewood’s Avery Thompson qualifies for OHSAA girls golf
