Olathe South's girls golf team claimed its first sub-state title in school history on Monday, Oct. 12, edging Lawrence Free State in a tiebreaker at Lake Shawnee Golf Course.
Both teams finished with identical scores of 371 on the par-71 course, according to results reported by the Olathe Reporter. The Falcons won the tiebreaker to earn a spot in the KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association) state tournament as one of 12 qualifying teams.
Three Olathe South golfers powered the historic finish.
Senior Caroline Parks led the Falcons with a third-place individual result. Sophomore Reese McNeil placed fifth. Senior Annika Whitcomb delivered what the Olathe Reporter described as "clutch play" that sealed the win over Free State.
Parks and Whitcomb are part of a senior class nine players deep on a 17-member roster, according to the team's roster page. Three juniors, four sophomores and one freshman round out the squad. McNeil, one of those sophomores, already ranks among the team's top finishers heading into the state tournament.
The rest of the sub-state field at Lake Shawnee finished well behind the two leaders. Washburn Rural placed third at 390, followed by Wichita East at 450 and Derby at 469, according to the Wichita Eagle.
The 371 that Olathe South and Free State each posted was 19 strokes ahead of third-place Washburn Rural. That gap underscored how tightly the title race came down to the two frontrunners.
The Class 6A state championships are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, and Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Firekeeper Golf Course in Mayetta. Olathe South will enter the state tournament as one of 12 qualifying teams. The top six teams after Monday’s opening round will advance to Tuesday’s final round.
