Lake Norman captured the N.C. High School Athletic Association 7A girls golf team state championship in dramatic fashion, winning a playoff hole against Cardinal Gibbons at Seven Lakes Golf Club.
The Wildcats and Crusaders finished the 36-hole championship tied at 525, forcing a playoff to determine the champion.
Lake Norman secured the title on the first playoff hole.
The Wildcats entered the final round trailing Cardinal Gibbons by two strokes after opening with a 268. Lake Norman responded with a 257 in the second round to pull even with the Crusaders, who posted a 255.
Caraccia leads Lake Norman with fourth-place finish
Lake Norman senior Kami Caraccia led the Wildcats individually, finishing fourth with a two-day total of 159.
Caraccia shot a 79 in the opening round and an 80 in the final round, finishing three strokes behind individual state champion Lily Cochran of Page.
Cochran and Cardinal Gibbons’ Olivia Erazmus each finished at 156 before Cochran won the individual championship on the second playoff hole.
Lake Norman also received contributions from Ella Martin, who tied for 15th with a score of 181, and Olivia Martin, who tied for 22nd at 188.
Taylor Mick finished 25th at 191, while Julia Hammond placed 31st at 199.
South Iredell’s Morrison finishes fifth
South Iredell senior Brielle Morrison also earned a top-five finish in the 7A championship.
Morrison shot rounds of 83 and 81 to finish fifth with a score of 164.
Her performance gave ISS two golfers among the top five in the 7A classification.
In the 6A classification at Sapona Golf Club, North Iredell sophomore Olivia Long finished 40th with a two-day score of 215.