Chesterton sophomore Kelly Grassel shot scores of 76 and 75 for a 7-over-par 151 and finished third individually at the IHSAA State Golf Finals at the Legends of Indiana Golf Course in Franklin over the weekend.

Evansville North senior Natalie Schmett shot a three-under-par total of 141 to win the title, while East Noble sophomore Katie Sharp was two-over-par (146) to finish second. Carmel’s Brianan Midkiff also shot 151 to tie Grassel for third.

Valparaiso freshman Harley Dubsky finished fifth with scores of 73 and 79 for an 8-over-par 152.

As a team, the Trojans finished 11th overall, missing qualifying for Day two of the State Finals by two shots with a 346-team score. The top nine teams qualify for the second day.

Grassel’s opening day 76 led the Trojans on Friday, while teammates Marissa Kroeger (83), Stephanie Drake (86), Emily DeLache (101) and Jennifer Kattalia (101) followed.

On Saturday, Grassel recorded four birdies on the day, but caught a bad break on 18 when her ball hit a tree and bounced into the water. She would make a double bogey six.

The sophomore’s third place performance is the best by a Chesterton player ever. In 2008, CHS grad Allyse Kotso finished 10th overall.

1. Hamilton Southeastern, 661; 2. Carmel, 666; 3. Indianapolis Roncalli, 668; 4. Penn, 671; 5. Richmond, 676; 6. Martinsville, 679; 7. Zionsville, 685; 8. Indianapolis Cathedral 696; 9. Jasper, 704.

1. Natalie Schmitt (Evansville North), 141; 2. Katie Sharp (East Noble), 146; 3. (tie) Kelly Grassel (Chesterton) and Briana Midkiff (Carmel), 151; 5. Harley Dubsky (Valparaiso), 152; 6. Rachel Welker (Terre Haute North), 153; 7. (tie) Kayla Katterhenry Castle) and Trisha Witherby (Richmond), 154; 9. (tie) Kari Bellville (Penn) and Brooke Beegle (Hamilton Southeastern), 155.

Posted 10/4/2010