The junior shot a pair of two-under-par 68s to win the Division II girls state title by four strokes. She didn’t qualify for the event last year but finished 10th as a freshman.
“It was a mental struggle all day,” she said. “I had to keep myself from not getting too high when I hit good shots or getting too low when I hit bad ones.”
She didn’t uncork many of the latter while joining her brother as a state champ. Cameron Willis, who plays at Wittenberg, won the crown at Eaton in 2012 and followed his sister around the course.
“I definitely figured she’d do it because of her short game and her ability to putt,” Cameron said.
Sarah, the district medalist, started wearing two gloves out of necessity.
“I started it when I was little. I had soft hands and got a lot of blisters,” she said. “Now, my dad got skin cancer on one hand because he wore one glove when he played. Both of my hands are protected from the sun.”
The Oakwood boys had a two-day total of 660, finishing sixth, 33 shots behind champion Cincinnati McNicholas.
Senior Connor Quigley, the medalist last year, went 80-75 on the par-72 Scarlet Course, to finish 10th and earn second-team all-state honors.
“The guys hit the ball the best they have all year collectively. We just couldn’t make a putt,” Oakwood coach Tyler Kilburn said.
Ohio State aerated its greens a couple of weeks ago, and the surfaces were still bumpy.
“I know the greens were difficult, but there are good scores out there, so somebody’s making putts,” Kilburn said.
In the D-II girls tourney, Chaminade Julienne finished sixth while making its eighth straight appearance.
Junior Blake Wogoman shot a career-best 81 Saturday after an opening 84 on the par-70 Gray Course to lead the way.
“For my first time being at state, beating my personal record was a really big deal for me,” she said.
After losing four seniors from last year’s team, CJ coach George Menker, who turns 80 in December, was pleased that the Eagles improved throughout the season.
“We’ll be back next year,” he said.
Carroll finished 11th but was thrilled with becoming the first Patriot boys or girls team to reach the state.
“We feel blessed to get this far,” coach Roy Cassidy said.
Senior Brittney Blaschak, who will play for Dayton next year, led the squad by going 89-80.
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