Thiravong finishes second in IHSA Class 1A Sectional

Lady Hub freshman becomes first RTHS girl to qualify for state meet in 24 years

Russell Hodges
Posted 10/8/17

Over two decades have passed since Rochelle Township High School qualified a Lady Hub golfer for the state meet, but freshman Megan Thiravong ended that drought Monday afternoon after piecing together the best 18-hole performance of her career during the IHSA Class 1A Stillman Valley Sectional at Byron’s PrairieView Golf Course.

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Thiravong finishes second in IHSA Class 1A Sectional

Lady Hub freshman becomes first RTHS girl to qualify for state meet in 24 years

Posted

BYRON — Over two decades have passed since Rochelle Township High School qualified a Lady Hub golfer for the state meet, but freshman Megan Thiravong ended that drought Monday afternoon after piecing together the best 18-hole performance of her career during the IHSA Class 1A Stillman Valley Sectional at Byron’s PrairieView Golf Course.

After shooting 86 to win the IHSA Class 1A Oregon Regional this past Wednesday, Thiravong elevated her game to another level on Monday, knocking several strokes off her regional score to finish second out of 108 players in the sectional tournament with a 6-over-par 78. Rockford Lutheran took the team title with 332 behind junior Natalie Hooper, who claimed the individual crown with 74.

The Lady Hub standout scored 41 on the front nine before blazing through the back nine with 37 to complete her career-best round. Thiravong is the first Lady Hub to reach the state meet since Kristine Mace advanced 24 years ago.

“It’s such an honor to play for RTHS and represent the school this way,” Thiravong said. “I love it so much… The course was in great condition and it was very well manicured. It’s very unique… There aren’t very many courses that are like it.”

Thiravong’s stellar postseason run began before the regional tournament, when she scored 81 to finish third out of 39 girls in the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference Meet at Rochelle’s Fairways Golf Course. She dedicated Monday’s sectional performance to RTHS Superintendent Jason Harper and Principal Chris Lewis, who she said gave her some strong words of encouragement.

“I vividly remember the day I left school on Friday,” Thiravong said. “Mr. Harper and Mr. Lewis said, ‘Megan, congratulations. You’re representing RTHS well.’ My driver started coming along well on the back and my putts started to harmonize within my game… I’m just playing with my heart and soul. I love the game of golf so much and I’ve been working really hard. Everybody has been pushing me to do my best, especially my parents and my family.”

Thiravong will travel to Decatur on Thursday to begin preparing for the IHSA Class 1A State Meet at Red Tail Run Golf Course. The 36-hole tournament will begin on Friday, Oct. 13 before concluding on Saturday, Oct. 14.

“I’m definitely going to try my best out there,” Thiravong said. “I hope that either coach [Glen] Mehrings or coach [David] Cartwright will be there to cheer me on, and my mom will be out there as well. I’m very excited.”