Independence sophomore Sophia Trombetta entered Tuesday’s Division II district golf tournament at Tam O’Shanter Hills Golf Course in Canton having won the Chagrin Valley Conference and sectional tournament championships.
Trombetta shot a 76 to add the title of District Champion and State Qualifier to her resume.
“What an unbelievable accomplishment for a kid,” said Independence coach Karl Schuld. “She started off three over par after two holes. She was just rocking it after that. I really don’t think she had the game she had at (sectionals at) Punderson but she just hung with it and fought through it. She was scrambling and she putted really well and she chipped really well.”
Thanks to her district finish, Trombetta will compete in next week’s Division II state tournament at Ohio State’s Gray Golf Course. The 36-hole event begins on Friday, Oct. 17 and ends the following day.
“I’m really optimistic,” Schuld said. “The way she’s golfing right now I think she can do very well, but more importantly, and I’m going to say the same thing I said to my team all season long, just go down and have fun. Enjoy the experience. You’ve earned it. I can’t be more proud of what she’s done. She has worked so hard and it has paid off.”
Independence narrowly missed qualifying for state as a team.
The Blue Devils finished seven strokes behind third place Columbiana. Only the top three teams earned a spot in the state tournament.
Sophomore Lyndsay Blum shot 86 to finish in 11th place overall.
“She had a really solid score,” Schuld said. “For a while, she was really rocking and rolling. She had about four or five pars in a row and a birdie. She had a little difficult putting down the stretch but she had a great score. She has a bright future.”
Senior Kaylie Kemenyes closed out her career with a 93.
“She just locked it in,” Schuld said. “She’s been money for us the last three weeks. She just stepped up her game. I’m so proud of her the way she ended her senior year. She fought for her team and put a score up that she can be really proud of. If it’s the last time she ever golfs competitively, what a way to go out.”
Bryleigh Wise carded a 115 for the Blue Devils and Madeline Mindzora finished with a 119.
Team Scores:
1. Lakeview 356
2. Lutheran West 358
3. Columbiana 363
4. Independence 370
5. Hawken 386
6. Poland 402
7. Warren JFK 409
8. Norton 416
9. Marlington 433
10. Ravenna Southeast 437
11. Clover Leaf 451
