Midlands girls golf teams compete in qualifiers. See who’s headed to state championships

Chapin and Lexington will carry some momentum going into next week’s state girls golf championships.

Chapin won the Class 5A Division II Lower State championship on Monday while Lexington won the Division I Upper State championship on Tuesday.

This is the first year Class 5A is split into two divisions because of the SC High School League’s realignment.

Chapin overcame an eight-shot deficit on the back nine to shoot a 311, winning by five shots over Conway. Chapin’s Mia Andrade (73) shared medalist honors with Conway’s Gracyn Cox. The Eagles’ Lilly Reed Black was one shot back and Reagan Haggard (80) finished ninth.

Lexington shot a 328 to win the Upper State championship by seven shots over Dorman. Giavanna Martusciello and Taryn Smoak each tied for fifth after shooting an 80.

Blythewood’s Caroline Hawkins, the two-time defending state champion, was the medalist after shooting a 71. The Bengals finished fourth to qualify for state.

River Bluff finished third with a 338 to qualify for state. RB’s Caitlyn Gaines was second with a 72.

Camden and AC Flora both qualified in Class 4A. The Bulldogs shot a 350 and finished third in the Class 4A Upper State championship. Camden’s Lakin Atkinson (81) tied for sixth with AC Flora’s Merritt Barbery. The Falcons’ Louise Vipperman (82) was eighth.

AC Flora (385) was fifth as a team.

The state championships will be held beginning Monday. The Class 5A Division II championship is Monday-Tuesday at Smithfield CC. The Class 5A Division I championship at Columbia Country Club on Tuesday-Wednesday.

The Class 4A championship is at Rose Hill Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday. The Class 3A championship is at Hackler Golf Club on Monday-Tuesday with Class A/2A at Chester Country Club.