Elyse Smidinger, Arundel, golf
The standout junior captured the individual girls title at the state golf championships in College Park last Wednesday, finishing with a two-day total of 143 to earn a six-stroke win over Atholton runner-up Bryana Nguyen. After opening the tournament with a 1-over-par 71 in the semifinal round Oct. 25, Smidinger came back with five birdies in the opening nine holes Wednesday, finishing with a 72 to become the third Arundel female to win an individual state title in the past 11 years. Her 143 matched the score of the boys individual titlist Connor Tendall of Wootton. Arundel coach Geoff Turk said Smidinger has become more efficient in all facets of her game in her third year on varsity, and her fine putting was a big key in her two rounds last week.
