Plainfield South’s Catalano qualifies again

Updated: October 5, 2011 9:52PM

The Neuqua Valley regional girls golf tournament had historic implications for a host of Joliet-area individuals Wednesday afternoon at Naperbrook Golf Course in Plainfield.

Among them were sectional qualifiers Alex Catalano of Plainfield South, Cailey Baker of Plainfield Central and Jasmine Wissinger of Plainfield East.

Catalano shot her career best, Baker became the district’s first three-time sectional qualifier, and Wissinger is the first female to advance to a sectional in program history.

In all, five area individuals advanced to the Marist sectional Monday at Old Oak Country Club in Homer Glen.

“I’ve been preparing for this all year so I’m glad I made it to the sectional,” said Catalano, who helped the Cougars advance to the sectional as a team last year as a freshman. “I started on the back pretty good. Halfway through the front, I struggled a little bit, but I came back to shoot my personal best.”

Catalano, a sophomore, shot an 84 to earn a fifth-place medal.

Wissinger, a sophomore, came in with a 90, which was good enough to earn the third individual spot available.

“I’m really excited,” Wissinger said. “It’s pretty cool to be the first girl to advance.”

Plainfield East is in its third year of varsity athletics.

“I started on the back and was even after four holes,” Wissinger said. “The front nine was a little tough on me because I was a little tired. I just settled myself down a little bit.”

Baker earned a District 202 record third sectional appearance by shooting a 91

“I’m really happy that I qualified for the sectional three years in a row,” Baker said. “It’s really uplifting and I’m really proud of myself. This is a big thing for me being a senior.”

Plainfield South sophomore Trinity Hill (99) and Plainfield North senior Diana Clark (101) also advanced.

© 2013 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.