By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Ryle won the Region 6 girls golf tournament for the third straight year with sisters Olivia and Sophia DiPaolo leading the way in Thursday’s round at Twin Oaks and Plantation Club.
Olivia, a senior who played on the Raiders’ two previous regional championship teams, took medalist honors with a five-over-par 75. Her younger sister Sophia, an eighth-grader, placed second with a 77.
Ryle ended up with the low team score of 337, followed by Notre Dame at 342. Both teams qualified for the state tournament to be played next Tuesday and Wednesday at Bowling Green Country Club. Last year, Ryle placed third in the state tournament.
The other scoring golfers for Ryle on Thursday were juniors Caitlyn Richardson (87) and Maddy Stanton (98). The top four scorers for Notre Dame were senior Lauren Abner (81), freshman Clare Hopper (83), senior Lauren Meese (86) and senior Annie Gronotte (92).
Notre Dame has now qualified for the state tournament 14 of the last 15 years as regional champion or runner-up. The Pandas’ streak was broken last year when St. Henry placed second in the region.
The four golfers who earned at-large berths in the state tournament by shooting low scores on Thursday were Walton-Verona junior Hannah Hall (79) Owen County senior Grace Chilton (81), Newport Central Catholic junior Brooke Bihl (84) and St. Henry senior Lauren Mays (87).
Local golfers also competed in the Region 8 tournament on Wednesday. Scott County won the team title and Clark County was runner-up. One of the individual golfers who qualified for the state tournament was Brossart junior Abby Cook, who placed fourth with an 80.
REGION 6 STATE QUALIFIERS
RYLE (First place team, 337) — Olivia DiPaolo 75, Sophia DiPaol0 77, Caitlyn Richardson 87, Maddy Stanton 98, Grace Grant 105.
NOTRE DAME (Second place team, 342) — Lauren Abner 81, Clare Hopper 83, Lauren Meese 86, Annie Gronotte 92, Hannah Rice 94.
INDIVIDUALS — Hannah Hall (Walton-Verona) 79, Grace Chilton (Owen County) 81, Brooke Bihl (NewCath) 84, Lauren Mays (St. Henry) 87.