WOOD RIVER — A fifth-player tiebreaker sent the Marquette Catholic girls golf team to the IHSA Class 1A state finals after the Explorers tied for third place at the Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, sectional at Belk Park Golf Course.
Marquette shot 341 to finish tied with Salem in a field that included six of the state’s top 10 Class 1A teams, according to Marquette coach Jacob Simmons. Under IHSA rules, the tie was broken by comparing each team’s fifth-best score. Junior Olivia Cummings’ 98 gave the Explorers third place and a berth in the state finals Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, and Saturday at Red Tail Run in Decatur.
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Sophomore Maggie Pruetzel led Marquette with an 81, followed by seniors Lexi Taylor with an 83 and Kaylee Piar with an 84. Junior Covelynn Geisler shot 93, while junior Mia Hoppe finished with 99.
The Explorers will make their first state finals appearance since 2021, when they finished second. The team plans to travel to Decatur on Thursday for a practice round.
After a season marked by heat and cancellations, Coach Simmons said the players are excited to return to the state finals and compete for a trophy.
