Biedrzycki, Sterling, Costello earn medals in state competition

DECATUR – Lincoln-Way West’s Alexis Biedrzycki was hoping to challenge for the title of the Class AA girls golf state finals at Hickory Point Golf Club, and she did that.

But after entering Saturday’s final round tied for the lead with two other players, the Warriors senior shot a 75 to finish in third place with a 148 total, six strokes behind Neuqua Valley’s Jessica Yuen, the defending champion, who fired a 69 on the final day.

Biedrzycki, who took fourth place in 2012 but did not compete for West last season, was four strokes behind Waubonsie Valley’s Bing Singhsumalee, who also finished with a 69 on Saturday to improve one spot from a year ago.

Lincoln-Way East senior Kelly Sterling, a four-time state qualifier, picked up her first state medal after tying for sixth place with a 153 after turning in a round of 77 on the last day. She joined her sister, Kathy, (2009 to 2010) as the Griffins’ only medal winners.

Providence’s Alyssa Gromala wound up with a 170 total, and Lockport’s Kayla Garritson finished with a 191. In Class A, Reed-Custer’s Sarah Maddox shot an 81 on Saturday for a 166 score, which tied her for 22nd place.

In the Class 3A boys finals at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, Providence sophomore Ricky Costello earned the lone medal for area players after shooting a 71 for a 150 total, which was good for a tie for sixth place. He joins Ryan Utter (2011) and John Thomas (2009) as Celtics medal winners.

The Celtics improved to fourth place as a team after posting a 620 score, which was 10 stokes behind third-place Barrington. Mickey Brick (154), Dom Cascino (157), Will McCabe (160), Kevin McEneany (162) and Michael Cascino (163) competed for Providence.

Joliet Township’s Trent Wallace shot a 78 to finish with a 153 score, which tied him for 22nd place. Lincoln-Way Central’s Anthony Bolden (156) and Scott Mueller (160) and Lockport’s Luke Trent (160) were other competitors in that event.

In the Class 2A finals, Lemont shot a 661 to finish in ninth. The Indians were led by Matt Groebe (161), Dan Orednick (166), Jeremy Pellegrine (166), Joe Pavlovic (168), Raymond Sullivan (172) and Matt Retzke (180). Morris’ Nick McPherson finished with a 176 total.