Notre Dame nabs state golf title

Just a few years after the Notre Dame girls golf team's inception, and in its first trip to the state meet as a team, the Bulldogs got to hoist a state trophy.

The Bulldogs, who first fielded a team in 2011, cruised to victory at the Class 1 state meet last week, winning by 40 strokes.

Notre Dame was one of eight teams that competed at the golf championships at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield, Missouri.

Junior Sarah Bell claimed state medalist honor, winning by eight strokes. Junior Allison Bray tied for third and freshman Taryn Overstreet finished sixth. Olivia Williams tied for 38th and Haley Taylor tied for 77th.

"I think they all handled it pretty well," <a href="http://www.semoball.com/story/2347256.html">coach Mark Moore said. "I think they all were a little nervous on the first tee on the first day, but I think once they settled in they kind of got in a groove from there. I think when the scores came in after the first day they realized they had a pretty comfortable lead and it helped to relax them, especially for today, to just be able to go out there and not worry and know it was all kind of under their control."

Bell, who along with Bray had previously earned individual all-state honors, led the field of 92 golfers.

"It's been my dream since freshman year, and I'm so happy," Bell said. "But I care more about our team winning than me individually. I'm really happy, but I'm more proud of my team than even myself."

Congratulations to the Bulldogs on their state championship!