Champ breaks school record at regional (09/25/06)

KENDALLVILLE - Trisha Champ might want the Patriots to schedule a few more matches at Cobblestone Golf Course for her senior season.

Champ, a Jay County junior, had another outstanding day at Cobblestone, which hosted the East Noble girls golf regional Saturday. Her 77 set a new school record, but left her two strokes short of advancing to the state tournament.

The previous record of 78 was held by Rayma (Fisher) Frankenfield, who is now the JCHS assistant coach.

It was Champ's second straight big-time performance in the regional at Cobblestone, following her 79 last season. She has been to the regional tournament in each of her three years, and has fallen just short of the state meet in each of the last two.

Moving on to the state finals as individuals were Kristi O'Brien of Bishop Luers (69), Emily Johnson of Warsaw (72) and Ashley Kees of Carroll (75). Kees, who was playing in a group along with Champ and earned the final spot on the power of her eagle on the 354-yard, par-5 seventh hole.

Advancing teams were East Noble (325), DeKalb (332) and Leo (341).

Champ had an outstanding finish on the front nine, playing the final five holes at 1-under par. That stretch included a birdie on the 208-yard, par-4 fifth hole.

She also finished with a flourish, posting pars on the 85-yard, par-3 16th and the 248-yard, par-4 17th. Her second birdie of the day came on the 394-yard, par-5 18th hole, but still left her two strokes behind Kees as she finished in fifth place overall.

Champ had 10 pars in her school-record round, including the four straight to close the front nine.[[In-content Ad]]