By TR HARLAN

Good thing there’s room in the trophy case.

The Chesterton girls golf team hoisted the biggest trophy in school history on Saturday as they won the Valparaiso Sectional at Valparaiso Country Club with a 373 team score.

The Trojans edged second place Valparaiso (387) and LaPorte (395), but all three teams earn a bid in next Saturday’s LaPorte Regional at Beechwood Golf Course.

“We toppled a dynasty,” Chesterton coach Dale Hewitt said. “I’ve been doing this for nine years and at least for that long, Valpo has had a lock on the Sectional. Most years, you go in there just trying to finish second and advance.

“I knew we had a shot if we played well even on Valpo’s home course.”

Allyse Kotso led the way for Chesterton by taking medalist honors with an 80. The junior picked up four birdies, two each on the front nine and back nine, during the round.

“Allyse was big for us today,” Hewitt said. “I knew she’d play well, because at our last meet (Valpo’s number one) Annie (Nolan) beat her by a few strokes. I thought she’d play really tough and score well.”

Kotso was able to keep the ball in the tight fairways and negotiate the small, slick greens even battling against an injured shoulder.

“The greens are really tough and the hole positions were really difficult,” Hewitt said. “I’m happy for her. I think the shoulder is still bothering her, but I’d take a bad shoulder if it meant I could shoot 80 on this course.”

Following Kotso were sophomores Erin DeVaney (91) and Hayley Miller (101). Freshman Raine Fox also fired a 101, while junior Jessica O’Brien shot 106.

“I think this is really big for us,” Hewitt said. “Chesterton’s never won the Sectional before and I think it’s just a sign of things to come. We’re on an upswing and we don’t lose anybody coming into next year.

“I expect to be in contention for Sectional titles for the next several years.”

The Trojans next test will be at the LaPorte Regional next Saturday with a berth to the State Finals on the line.

“There are some really good teams in the Regional,” Hewitt said. “I know Twin Lakes is coming over and everybody out of the east is tough. Penn, Mishawaka Marian and South Bend St. Joe are all tough. Lake Central comes over too.

“They take four, so we’ll just tee it up and see what happens.”

Valparaiso Sectional

Team Results

1. Chesterton, 373; 2. Valparaiso, 387; 3. LaPorte, 395; 4. Michigan City Marquette, 429; 5. Portage, 430; 6. Boone Grove, 458; 7. New Prairie, 459; 8. Wheeler, 465; 9. Michigan City, 493; 10. South Central, NTS.

Individual Results

Medalist – Allyse Kotso (C), 80.

Chesterton – Allyse Kotso 80, Erin DeVaney 91, Hayley Miller 101, Raine Fox 101, Jessica O’Brien 106.

Valparaiso – Annie Nolan 89, Kelly Copeland 91, Emilia Sitja 99, Lauren Jacobs 108, Lyndsey Holmes 113.

LaPorte – Nikki Dunham 95, Cassandra Jerkovic 98, Lisa Marie Mullen 100, Darby Alcorn 102, Sara Benefiel 109.

Michigan City Marquette – Summer Schau 88, Mary Katherine Slattery 93, Brie Hussey 119, Maureen McDonald 129, Rachel Gasaway 131.

Portage – Lauren Wighaman 100, Shelby Milner 106, Sarah Dienes 108, Alex Simmons 116, Lauren Scott 118.

Boone Grove – Jillian Joyce 107, Rachel Mastey 107, Anna Robinson 111, Kristen Kelban 133, Normis Salas 147.

New Prairie – Stephanie Ferro 104, Terri Watts 107, Alysia Palm 123, Breanne Dugan 125.

Wheeler – Brianne Michaels 112, Vanessa Ryan 114, Jessica Marek 119, Taylor Ruby 120, Rebecca Ryan 123.

Michigan City – Samantha Spielvogel 119, Jessica Nieman 122, Elizabeth Heywood 125, Cecelia Gussman 127.

South Central – Sydney Bailey 110.

Posted 9/17/2007