Lapple Crowned Individual Champion and Falcon Girls’ Golf Finishes as NCISAA Runners- Up

Lulu Brase
The Varsity Girls Golf team has much to celebrate this fall finishing as NCISAA Division 2 Runners-Up, along with sophomore Alex Lapple winning an Individual State Championship at Bryan Park Country Club.

The Falcons rebounded well and challenged the field throughout the match. Head Coach Jeff Haarlow shared, “we had a lot of weird bounces today and the girls kept fighting to make it an interesting last 6 holes or so. I’m so proud of this team and all they’ve accomplished this fall.”

Leading the Falcons, as has become the norm, was sophomore Alex Lapple. After a strong opening 9 holes, Lapple had to fight through some adversity finishing the match. However, as she has repeatedly shown, Lapple is not one to go down without a fight. Alex finished the match an even 72 on the afternoon winning the NCISAA Division 2 Individual State Championship by a stroke over Grayson Warren ’21 and Karsyn Roberts ’24 who tied for second place respectively. Reflecting on Alex’s success, Coach Jeff Haarlow shared, “Alex is a special player to coach. She is so talented, but that is matched with hard work and passion!”

Another highlight on the afternoon came from Freshmen Lauren Kuhn who shot an 84 on the afternoon tying for 8th place overall. Finishing in the top nine of the overall field earned Lauren a place on the NCISAA All-State team alongside teammate Alex Lapple.

Athletic Director, James Franklin shared, “this team works when no one is watching them. They always find a way to be competitive, and continually played with great accomplishment this year.” It is this work ethic and drive that has led to strong showings each year in this program’s short five-year history. With no seniors on this 2020 team, the Falcons look forward to next Fall and another quest at a NCISAA State Championship.

The O’Neal Varsity Girls Golf program has already produced two state champions in its four years of existence. Last year’s NCISAA champion and lady Falcon Nicole Adam’20 is currently a part of the UNC-Chapel Hill ladies golf program.
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