Sloan battles to end at golf sectional
HUNTLEY — It came down to a playoff hole to decide the final sectional girls state golf qualifier at Boylan Catholic’s IHSA Class 2A Sectional meet.
Huntley senior Maddie Sloan fought for the 10th and final individual spot and ended with a round of 84. She finished one spot from a state bid as Wheaton North’s Ariana Savenok won the playoff hole at Atwood Homestead Golf Course in Rockford Oct. 8.
Huntley girls golf coach Lindsey Allen described Sloan’s round.
“Sloan had a great sectional,” Allen said. “She struggled mid-round, but never gave up and kept grinding away. She birdied holes 16 and 17 to get her in contention for state advancement. A player from the last group (Savenok) birdied 17 and had a par at 18 to tie Sloan. They had a sudden death playoff. Most of the Fox Valley Conference players stayed to cheer her on. Even though Sloan did not win the playoff hole. I am so proud of how hard she played. It’s been many years since anyone from Huntley Girls Golf has come this close to advancing. Her grit was unmatchable at sectional.”
Huntley’s other sectional qualifier, sophomore Kinsey Hayes, had a round of 97.
“Hayes played really well for her first sectional,” Allen said. “By the end of the round, she had already come up with a plan for next year. She has her eyes set on advancing to the state tournament one day.”
As the 2024 girls golf season ended, Allen described what Sloan has meant to the team.
“Sloan has had an amazing impact on our team,” the coach said. “She has improved immensely each year. She also brings a sense of competition and fun to our practices. As a natural leader, when her teammates see her go to work, they want to work too. She will be truly missed.”
