Blue Devils keep focus on matter at hand, power way to state tourney berth

WASHINGTON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls golfers made a pact with Blue Devils coach Hanlynn Vahlkamp not to check the digital scoring app while on the course during Monday’s Class 2A sectional at Quail Meadows Golf Course.

“It makes us a little too anxious,” Vahlkamp said.

So Sophia Gold never took a peek.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard once, so I didn’t know how anybody else was doing,” Quincy’s freshman No. 1 golfer said.

By the time Gold made her walk to the 18th green, her teammates all knew what was transpiring.

The Blue Devils firmly had a grip on third place, and after Gold got up-and-down for par to cap a round of 1-over 73, they celebrated their first trip to the state tournament since 1983. Quincy shot a 324 to join O’Fallon and Normal U-High in advancing. The Panthers won the sectional title with a 310, while the Pioneers posted a 322.

All three advance to the Class 2A state tournament, being played Friday and Saturday at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth.

“It’s insane,” Quincy senior Laci Novosel said. “I went as a freshman (as an individual) and that was so much fun and so exciting. Going with the team is definitely a different feeling. I’m just so excited. This is something we’ve wanted since our freshman year. I couldn’t be happier right now.”

All along, Novosel had a feeling a trip to state was possible, especially after Vahlkamp gave her an early round update. The coach and player converged after six holes, and Vahlkamp told Novosel they were tied for first after Gold got off to a 2-under start.

“I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you’re kidding me,’” Novosel said. “I really had no idea. From there on out, I peeked a little bit. I tried not to focus on it and just have a good time. Once I kind of knew we were in the top three, I didn’t pay attention to the leaderboard at all. I just had to enjoy it. It’s one of the last few times I’ll play high school golf.”

By not monitoring the scores, the Blue Devils didn’t know exactly where they stood until Gold’s final hole. Her teammates checked the scores as each finished their individual round, and they were a little raucous as the freshman chipped onto the green and made her par putt.

“When I hit my chip shot, Paige yelled, ‘Go in the hole.’ It was really funny,” Gold said. “They all hugged me at the end.”

There was excitement and relief in that moment.

The Blue Devils won their fifth straight regional championship last week, but they hadn’t finished higher than fourth in the sectional any of the previous four tries. In fact, last year’s fourth-place finish during a pandemic-shortened season was their best sectional finish in more than two decades.

“It’s surreal,” Novosel said.

Gold finished tied for second with O’Fallon junior Reagan Martin. O’Fallon’s Maddie Vanderheyden won medalist honors with a 3-under 69. Novosel finished tied for 12th with a 7-over 79, while QHS junior Saya Geisendorfer tied for 17th with an 81. Blue Devils senior Paige Cain shot a 91, Maddie O’Brien posted a 95 and Anya Nanjappa carded a 99.

“It was pretty nerve-racking the last couple of holes,” Vahlkamp said. “But I think the girls always believed they were going to state. It’s certainly special.”

And historic. The last Quincy team to play at the state tournament brought home third place, one of four trophies the Blue Devils have won since 1976.

“I was really nervous going into my round,” Gold said. “But I’m so glad we’re going to state.”