Columbus Academy’s girls golf team didn’t just win their fifth straight state championship on October 12 at Firestone Country Club, they absolutely *demolished* the competition by a jaw-dropping 87 strokes. This wasn’t just a win; it was the largest margin of victory in the 34-year history of the tournament, period, across any division. Talk about a statement!
The Vikings Just Rewrote the History Books
Word got out fast during both Division II state tournaments: Columbus Academy was running away with it. But here’s the kicker: the team itself was apparently trying *not* to focus on that massive lead, a stubborn design that clearly paid off. Led by senior Eva Lim’s final-round 3-over-par 73, which brought her two-day total to 147, Academy fired a 309 in the second round. Their event record of 615 was insane, crushing runner-up Chagrin Falls by 87 shots. Sophomore Ava Hammond summed it up perfectly, saying, “Eighty-seven strokes, it just shows how good our team really is at uplifting one another and not focusing on anything else.” This team not only beat the field, they shattered the previous record for largest margin of victory, held by Lima Central Catholic with a 53-shot win in 2020. They even broke their *own* Division II lowest team score record of 620 from 2023. This is pure domination.
Individual Brilliance Fuels a Team Legacy
While the team score was legendary, the individual performances were locked in. Eva Lim finished fifth overall, which is wild considering she snapped her two-year streak of state titles. Cincinnati Madeira junior Ellie Hartung took home the individual crown with a 139, the only golfer out of 72 to break par either day with her opening 68. But Academy’s depth was unreal. Hammond finished 13th with a 155 total, followed by junior Claire Zeiger right behind her at 14th with a 156. Sophomore Niya Chebli rounded out the top 15 with a 157. Senior Meera Srini added a 169, tying for 23rd. Lim, despite her critical self-assessment, focused on keeping “grounded” and had 11 pars and two birdies in that final round. She shared that “It’s good to have high expectations to some degree. It keeps you going. You’re motivated to get going. You care. But overall, we lift each other up and support each other. That’s what makes us special.”
Coach Maggie Freytag echoed that sentiment, emphasizing their strategy: “We just told ourselves to keep doing what we know how to do and just come in and play the game we know how to play, the best we can do.” Five straight state titles, a new tournament record, and a team that lifts each other up? The goals they set each year, “at least to be here, and to win it,” they absolutely crushed them. What a season for these champions.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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