After 8 years without, New Trier earns state trophy — the 17th in program history

The girls golf is good here in the northern suburbs.

How good?

The top three finishers in the IHSA Class 2 championships held on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 10-11, at Hickory Point in Decatur were the same as the top three finishers in the Class 2A New Trier Sectional, which were the same as the Class 2A Prospect Regional.

New Trier picked up third place in all three postseason tournaments, capping its return to the state finals — after just missing in 2024 — with its first IHSA trophy (top-three finish) since winning state in 2017.

It is the Trevians’ 17th state trophy (7 firsts, 6 seconds, 4 thirds) in program history.

“It was great to see, just knowing how competitive it is and how many good teams are out there,” New Trier head coach Scott Fricke said. “Some of these kids haven’t played down state. … It was a new environment and they went down there and took care of business.”

While several newcomers contributed, the Trevians were led by senior standout Grace Leber, who earned a second straight All-State designation with a fourth-place finish at 1-under par over the two-day event.

With the Trevians in a “dogfight” for third place, Fricke said, Leber saved her best for last, carding birdies on the final two holes of her decorated run as a high-school golfer.

“It was a great way to end her New Trier career,” said Fricke, who added that Leber’s 9-hole average her senior season was under par (35.6). “I told one of my coaches when we ended up being up a stroke with two (holes) to play that it’s really nice knowing we have Grace Leber on the course to bring us home.”

Leber’s finish helped the Trevians (626 strokes) finish five strokes ahead of Lincoln-Way East for the third-place slot. Glenbrook North (604) won its third straight state championship five strokes better than runnerup Stevenson.

Alli Wartel, a sophomore from Oswego East, dominated the individual field, going 7-under-par on Day 2 to finish at -8 and win the state title by five strokes. Glenbrook North senior Martha Kuwahara and Downers Grove South senior Miah Wanserski tied for second at 3-under — two strokes in front of Leber.

Supporting Leber’s All-State effort for the Trevians were junior Molly Tir (+15, 36th place), senior Sophie Patel (+16, 42nd) and junior Charlotte Giczewski (+20, 59th). Tir, Patel and Giczewski all shot 7-over 79s on the final day to keep the Trevians in trophy position.

Freshman Nadiya Kundu (79th) and junior Maddie Shabaz also competed with the Trevians.

Fricke made sure to point out Patel, who he said played her best golf of the season (shooting a 79-80) on the final weekend.

“It was great to have her playing her best at the end of the year,” he said.

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