Leigh Anne Hardin won her third consecutive individual title in record-setting fashion to lead Martinsville to its fifth straight team title in the 27^th Annual Indiana High School Athletic Association Girls Golf State Finals at Prestwick Country Club in Avon.

Hardin fired a three-under par 68 in the second round to finish at 139, both of which were state finals records. The senior became the second girl to win three individual state titles, joining Martha Foyer of Carmel who claimed titles in 1979, 1980 and 1981. Hardin won the 1997 state title with a 143 total, and her winning total of 142 in 1998 tied the 36-hole state record established by Katy Wilkinson of South Bend Clay in 1996. Hardin was the state runner-up to Wilkinson in 1996.

Battling gusty winds on a gray day, Hardin tallied six birdies to win by eight strokes. Hardin set the tone early by sinking a six-foot birdie putt on No.2 and following with a 15-footer for another on No. 3. Her other birdies came at No. 7, No. 9, No. 11 and No. 13.

Martinsville's team total of 632 was the third lowest team total for 36 holes in state finals history. It was Martinsville's eighth girls golf state title overall, with all coming since 1991 and under the direction of coach Sharon Most. Martinsville is only the 13^th team in IHSAA state finals history to win five consecutive state titles in any sport. Those streaks include two other current streaks: 13 in girls swimming and diving by Carmel, and five in wrestling by Evansville Mater Dei.

Other individual scores for the state champion Artesians were senior Bethany Brunner and sophomore Stephanie Turner at 162, senior Jamie Hovious at 169 and sophomore Ashlie Rose at 173. Four of the five Martinsville players finished among the top 20 individuals.

Noblesville placed second with a two round total of 666 and Franklin finished third at 669. It was the fourth consecutive year that Franklin finished among the top three teams.

Individually, senior Karen Dennison of Madison tallied a 147 for second place and Fort Wayne Dwenger junior Lauren Gant placed third at 153.

Leigh Anne Hardin of Martinsville was named the 1999 recipient of the Mental Attitude Award by the IHSAA Executive Committee. Academically, Hardin is a straight A student and ranks fourth in her senior class of 348 students. She is president of the school's National Honor Society chapter and will attend Duke University on a golf scholarship where she intends to major in communications or business.

One of the nation's top junior amateurs, Hardin was the United States Golf Association Girls Junior in 1998. She also has played on two United States Junior Ryder Cup teams. In addition to her golf participation, she is involved in several volunteer activities in her community and was recently crowned Martinsville's 1999 Homecoming queen.

*Did not qualify for second round play