Indiana Girls Golf Team Wins Title After 40-Stroke Leap

When Delta High School's girls golf team stepped onto Crestview Golf Club in Muncie, Indiana, they carried the weight of last year's disappointing third-place finish. Six hours later, they walked away with their best sectional score in program history.

The Eagles improved their team score by an incredible 40 strokes from 2025, posting a 323 at Sectional 17 on September 19. Sophomore Molly Webber shot a 3-over-par 75 to claim second place overall, while teammate Riley Stinson tied for third with a 77.

"It's a bummer to get second when you shoot your best score ever," said Delta coach Tyler Harris, whose team qualified for regionals behind champion Yorktown. The Tigers defended their sectional title with a dominant 309, led by sophomore Lilly Duncan's winning 74.

Monroe Central also punched their ticket to regionals, but their qualification carried deeper meaning. Junior Charli Siekmann, one of their teammates, was life-flighted to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis earlier that week after a serious car accident.

The Golden Bears played with yellow ribbons honoring Siekmann, who remained in intensive care. Her family's message to the team from the hospital was simple: "You guys need to kick butt Saturday."

Sophomore Lucy Huston tied for third place with a 77, leading Monroe Central to a 331 team score. Coach Sarah Van Pelt admitted the girls struggled to focus after their teammate's accident, but found strength in playing for something bigger than themselves.

Why This Inspires

Sports have a unique power to unite communities during hardship. The yellow ribbons worn by players and coaches across Sectional 17 showed how competition can pause for compassion without losing its competitive edge.

Delta's 40-stroke improvement proves that dedication and growth can transform a program in just one season. Their sophomores managed the course brilliantly, hitting crucial shots when needed while senior experience steadied the team during difficult stretches.

For Yorktown senior Alysse Taylor, who shot a career-low 77, the victory meant watching younger teammates thrive. "I feel like their mom sometimes," she said, beaming with pride over mentee Lilly Duncan's medalist performance.

Six more golfers from Wapahani, Wes-Del, and Jay County earned individual regional spots, with Jay County's final qualifier decided by a playoff between teammates. All qualifiers will compete at Edgewood Golf Club in Anderson on September 26.

Sometimes the greatest victories happen when we play for something beyond ourselves.