The NorthWood girls golf team took the runner-up spot at Thursday’s Leo Lady Lion Invitational. From left to right are Delaney Davis, Abigail Richner, Madison Richner, Mackenzie Weaver, Kylee Gall, Makenna Gall, Hope Cripe, Abby Slabaugh and Kirsten Schrock. (Photo provided)

LEO – After a tough gauntlet on the west side of the state the first three days of the season, the NorthWood girls golf team shifted to the east side of the state Thursday. Their play at the Leo Lady Lions Invitational saw the Lady Panthers place second and land a pair of individuals in the top 10.

NorthWood got a good look at some of the potential teams in Septembers regional round, finishing runner-up to Homestead, 322-349, and bested Penn’s 362, which was third-best among the nine teams playing at Cedar Creek. NorthWood’s B team managed a 412, which was fifth-best.

Mackenzie Weaver continued the hot start to her junior year with a round of 79, taking second overall in the tourney. Weaver had three birdies on the front side and needed just two shots to finish off the 17th, going 38-41 for the day. Madison Richner stepped up her performance with a round of 83, tied for fifth overall in the field, and was steady on the back side with a 40 to go with her 43 on the front.

Abby Slabaugh fired an 89, Makenna Gall a 98 and Hope Cripe a 108 for the NorthWood A squad. Delaney Davis led the B team with a 96, followed by Abigail Richner at 97, Kylee Gall at 100 and Kirsten Schrock at 119.

Homestead’s Morgan Dabagia led the field with a 75, shooting an even 36 on the back nine.

NorthWood continues its new tour of the east side of Indiana with a visit Saturday to Noble Hawk in Kendallville for the East Noble Invite, another chance to get a regional look. Then NorthWood heads to Chestnut Hills in Fort Wayne Monday for the Fort Wayne Canterbury Invite and Legacy Hills to the north for the New Prairie Invite on Tuesday.