Had it not been for COVID-19, today’s headline would have read “Local Girls Headed To State Golf Tournament.”

Unfortunately, the sectional was a far as Illinois girls could advance this fall.

The St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs would have earned a berth by finishing second overall Monday at the Salem Class 1A Sectional.

And Effingham’s Ava Boehm would have joined them after firing a 75 and placing fourth individually.

Mt. Carmel captured the team championship, finishing with a 312 total, nine shots better than St. Anthony’s 321.

For the Lady Bulldogs, Morgan Schuette and Reagan Westendorf both shot 79, while Macy Ludwig finished with an 80 and Lauren Schwing 83 to round out the team score. Ellie Wegman (88) and Nina Hakman (96) also competed. Schuette, Westendorf and Ludwig finished 7th, 8th and 10th individually.

In addition to Boehm, Effingham’s Anna Sigg shot a 92.

And T-Town’s Averie Bushue finished 12th overall after turning in an 83.