(LEFT) The Westfield girls golf team placed third at the state meet. (RIGHT) The Carmel girls golf team placed fourth at state. (Richie Hall)
Carmel’s Fujisawa Keuling places third
By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – Hamilton County golf teams made their presence known at the IHSAA girls golf state finals, which took place Oct. 3 and 4 at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
After state champion Zionsville, county teams monopolized the remainder of the top five. Noblesville finished as runner-up for the second consecutive year (see related story), then Westfield reached the podium for the third year running by placing third.
Carmel got back on the podium, finishing in fourth place. Hamilton Southeastern rounded out the top five by finishing in fifth. In addition, all four county schools placed at least one player on the All-State team.
The Shamrocks totaled 640 to earn the bronze at state. Westfield had four players finish in the top 40 of the individual standings, led by Farrah Camp. The freshman tied for 20th with a two-day, 36-hole score of 156, making three birdies for the tournament.
Another freshman, Laila Abriani, totaled 159 for the event, draining two birdies. Senior Kelsey Haverluck finished with three birdies and was also named to the All-State team based on points she earned at tournaments throughout the season.
Junior Sophie Raines and senior Lilley Ku each made one birdie. Ku also was named to the Academic All-State team, with those honorees announced at the end of the meet.
Westfield coach Josh Bryant was happy with the team’s performance, especially from the new young players on the Shamrocks’ team.
“Top three every tournament was our goal,” said Bryant. “And ultimately, here at the state finals, we were able to do that, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team this year and what they accomplished.”
Hounds back on the podium
Carmel scored 645 to return to the podium for the third time in four years. The Greyhounds were back-to-back state champions in 2022 and 2023 before placing eighth last season.
Freshman Maya Fujisawa Keuling led the way. She scored 146 for the tournament, placing her third individually for the tournament.
Fujisawa Keuling started the tournament with a four under par 68 in the first round, including an eagle on hole No. 3, along with four birdies. She scored 76 in the second round.
“I got to see a lot of people supporting our team and I was really grateful for that,” said Fujisawa Keuling.
Freshman Karis Reid scored 160 for the tournament. Reid showed remarkable courage in playing with an injured wrist and still finished with five birdies for the event.
Both Fujisawa Keuling and Reid were named to the All-State team.
Junior Allie Thompson made four birdies during the tournament. Reese Roudebush played the second day and made one birdie.
“I’m proud of the girls and can’t wait for next season,” said Carmel coach Kelly Kluesner.
Hamilton Southeastern totaled 650 as a team to place fifth. Junior Bella Stanley led the Royals with 158, making four birdies along the way.
Senior Janelle Garcia and junior Sophie Roberts both had two birdies for the tournament. Both were named to the All-State team. Juniors Maya Cieply and Taylor Wetzel both drained three birdies.
Guerin Catholic junior Ali Scott played as an individual, finishing with a score of 162. Scott had one birdie for the tournament.
