SHELBY — If he has any questions about the layout at Ohio State’s Gray Course, first-year Shelby coach Nick Briggs can check with Julia Gutchall.
There may not be a player in the state with more experience at the course than the lone senior on Shelby’s roster.
Gutchall will be making her fourth appearance at the Division II state tournament when the Whippets tee it up Friday morning.
“We were talking and, by the end of the weekend, she will have played 12 rounds down here,” Briggs said from the course as the Whippets finished their practice round Thursday afternoon. “She has been through this before but she will be the first to tell you that playing in the state tournament never gets old.”
Shelby qualified by virtue of its fourth-place finish at last week’s Division II district tournament at Sycamore Springs. It is the fourth straight tournament berth for the Whippets and the most unlikely of the four.
Shelby lost Mandy Ruminski, who moved to Lexington and qualified as an individual for the Division I state meet earlier this week.
Gutchall, along with Nicole Jones and Gillian Stumbo, all were members of last years team, which finished second in the final team standings for a second straight year.
“Three of these girls have state tournament experience, which is invaluable,” Briggs said. “They know the course and they understand the pressure that comes with playing at state.”
Shelby shot a 379 at last week’s district tournament, edging Wayne Trace for the fourth and final state bid. Jones carded a 77, while Gutchall shot an 86 and Stumbo carded a 99. Varsity newcomers Maci Westmeister and Tressie Carroll shot 117 and 140, respectively.
“Our top three have been steady and our four and five girls are getting better,” Briggs said. “We feel pretty good about where we are at.”
Shelby had the highest score among the 12 state-qualifying teams.
“We expect to compete the best we can,” Briggs said. “We want to have fun and enjoy our time down here.”
