Michigan Golf Journal November 2021

Michigan Golf Journal High School Finals The Division 1 girls golf state finals in mid-October provided incredible storylines as the Mustangs of Northville captured their fourth consecutive Division 1 Lower Peninsula state title, while twin sisters Bridget and Grace Boczar of Plymouth finished first and second in the individual race. Bridget shot 3-under par in the second round at Grand Valley State to edge out her sister by one stroke overall. Their family journey will continue after high school as they both plan to play golf at Oakland University. The Mustangs became just the second program ever in the Lower Peninsula to win four straight state championships, and the first to do so in Division 1. Six other schools from the U.P. have won four straight. At the Regionals earlier, Plymouth defeated Northville, a motivation point well taken by the Mustangs. Northville senior Megha Vallabhaneni, led the Mustangs at 75-71 to place third overall. “It’s obviously an awesome feeling, but there was a lot of pressure going into it with already winning three (in a row),” Vallabhaneni told MHSAA Second Half reporter Dean Holzwarth. “Losing to Plymouth did affect us, but we knew we were going to do well, and we played one stroke at a time and one hole at a time.” Taking four consecutive state titles in Div. 1 is a huge testament considering all the various players that come in and out during a short high school career. “Obviously to be in that elite company is amazing, and it’s not something we talk about a lot, but we also understand that there are those opportunities in front of us to take advantage of,” said Northville coach Chris Cronin. “Winning state titles and adding our name to the record books with winning four in a row is an incredible feeling, and it has been an incredible journey for me and for this team.” MGJ Division 2: Winner: Dearborn Divine Child Medalist: Gabriella Tapp, South Lyon Division 3: Winner: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood Medalist: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North Division 4: Winner: Montague, second straight Medalist: Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills Northville Claims Fourth High School State Championship in a Row Plymouth twin sisters finish 1-2 By Tom Lang Credit: MHSAA/High School Sports Scene