Kobelt embracing opportunity to play in state golf tournament
WALKERTON - High school girls golf, the first sport to start competition at the beginning of the school year, is about to end this weekend with the state finals in Carmel Oct. 2-3.
The Culver Girls Academy team will be there again, led by senior Reese Wilson, who is making her fourth straight trip and could challenge for another top 10 finish individually.
Also making the trip is Megan Kobelt from John Glenn HS, the first Lady Falcon to ever qualify for state.
“We’re proud of her,” said longtime Glenn head coach Randy Schmeltz. “She’s a hard worker and puts in the time and plays the summer tours. We’ve had a girls team qualify for regionals seven of the last eight years, so that’s 36 girls with a chance to make it to state, but never had one make it until now.”
“I’m very excited,” said Kobelt, who says her biggest competitor is her younger brother. “My coaches and teammates have really helped me out. My family has been very supportive. My brother competed with me all summer. When he beats me, that’s motivation.”
Younger brother might win once in a while, but not too many high school girl players have scored better than the Glenn junior this fall.
Her season highlights include three runner- up medalist finishes (Rochester Invite (77), NIC Tourney ( 78), Plymouth Tourney ( 85)), a top 10 finish at the Northwood Invite (83), a first team NIC All- Conference selection, being the No. 1 Laporte Sectional individual qualifier, the No. 5 Lafayette Regional individual qualifier and now the first-ever state qualifier in Glenn HS girls golf history after her 82 at the Lafayette Jefferson
Regional last Saturday.
“I knew it was going to be close, but it was nerve- wracking,” said Kobelt who had to wait about an hour and a half after finishing her round to see if she was, in fact, headed to state. “This was a goal at the beginning of the season, actually my sophomore year. I had a few tough holes (at regionals) and I didn’t recover well at first, then I just tried to finish strong and put out the best score I could.”
“We’ve been working on having a more mentally stronger game and more composure when the game gets tough, you are under the gun and the round is getting away from you,” added Schmeltz. “She did that at regionals. She’s tough. She had a rough moment on her second nine, but recomposed herself and on the very last hole made a 5-6 foot tester putt and that shot qualified her for the state finals.”
Kobelt credits her