State Finals Recap

September 29-30, 2017

Zionsville Runs Away with First State Championship; Plainfield's Benge takes Individual Crown
Zionsville set a state finals record on Friday on its way to the team title and Plainfield's Kayla Benge earned the individual crown to conclude the 45th Annual IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.

The top-ranked Eagles of coach Jeff Anderson put up a first round 299 setting an 18-hole state finals record on Friday and followed with a 321 on Saturday for a two-day total of 620, tied for the fourth-best state finals mark. It was the school's first state championship in the sport and sixth overall.

Sophomores Annabelle Pancake and Abby Thielbar both finished among the top 10 individuals to lead their team. Pancake shot a 149 (74-75) to earn fourth place overall while Thielbar ended with 154 (70-84) to finish in a three-way tie for seventh. Thielbar was tied for the lead after Friday's first round. Junior Avery Von Dielingen finished tied for 17th at 158 (77-81), senior Claire Edwards ended tied for 25th at 162 (81-81) and senior Maggie Nobbe rounded out the Eagles contingent with a 29th place finish at 163 (78-85).

Second-ranked Westfield finished as the state runner-up for the third consecutive year at 638 and were followed by the three-time defending state champions Evansville North at 639. Columbus North was fourth at 650 and Homestead earned its highest finish ever in fifth place with 657.

Plainfield's Benge began the day tied for third with a Friday round of 71 over the 5,741-yard course. The senior scored a pair of birdies on the front nine Saturday morning and finished her day at +2 to finish at 145 (71-74) to become the first golfer from her school - girls or boys - to win the state crown.

Benge edged 2015 state champion Alexis Miestowski of Lake Central who finished as the state runner-up with 146 (72-74). Hadley Walts of Evansville North and 2015 state runner-up, shot 148 (71-77) for third place. Following Pancake, Columbus North senior Danbi Kim finished fifth with 150 (76-74).

The two-day event was played under nearly ideal conditions with clear blue skies, prevailing light winds and temperatures in the low 70s.

Plainfield's Kayla Benge named Mental Attitude Award recipient
Plainfield High School's Kayla Benge was named the recipient of the Mental Attitude Award by the IHSAA Executive Committee during the awards ceremony.

The senior advanced to the state finals all four years and became the first player from her school to win the mental attitude award along with the individual state championship. She is also a two-year letterman in girls basketball and served as captain last year.

Benge has maintained a 4.2 GPA (4.0 scale) during her high school career and maintains numerous leadership roles including the National Honor Society, Student Government, Spanish Club, PHS Athletic Council, and attended the IHSAA Leadership Conference and Mid-State Leadership Conference.

She is the daughter of Curt and Jennifer Benge of Plainfield and plans to study business at Xavier University where she will also play golf.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the sponsor of 28 IHSAA mental attitude awards, presented $1,000 to Plainfield High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Kayla Benge.

The IHSAA Executive Committee presents the mental attitude award to the outstanding senior participant during the state finals each year dating back to 1973. The recipient of the award, nominated by her principal and coach, was determined to have best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in girls golf.