Blue Devils’ Novosel, Cain cap careers with perfect record in WB6 golf championships

GALESBURG, Ill. — Laci Novosel and Paige Cain’s careers are perfect.

At least they are against Western Big 6 Conference competition.

The Quincy High School senior golfers led the Blue Devils to their fifth straight conference championship Monday, posting a team total of 310 at Lake Bracken Country Club. For both golfers, it’s four seasons on the varsity level with four titles.

“It’s something you dream about and think about,” Novosel said. “Winning conference is a big deal. The fact that we just did after we always talked about it and actually achieved it, it’s so special. I’m happy to end on this note.”

Geneseo was second with a 375 and Galesburg third at 380. The Blue Devils have won each of the last five conference titles by 45 strokes or more.

Monday’s score was their season low.

“That was kind of the cherry on top,” Novosel said.

QHS sophomore Sophia Gold took medalist honors with a 73, followed by Novosel with a 76, junior Saya Geisendorfer with a 77 and Cain with an 84. They were the top four on the leaderboard with all four earning first-team all-conference honors.

It’s four straight top-two finishes for Novosel and four straight top-five finishes for Cain.

Novosel tied for first with a 76 as a freshman, only to lose medalist honors in a two-hole playoff. She was the runner-up as a sophomore with an 84 and earned medalist honors as a junior with a 68. Cain finished fifth as a freshman with an 85, won the title as a sophomore with an 80 and was third as a junior with a 78.

“As we get closer to postseason, our mind is set on not necessarily winning but doing our personal best,” Novosel said. “We keep driving for lower and lower scores, and we’re getting those results. It’s awesome to see and I’m excited for what’s to come in the postseason.”