Notre Dame Academy won the KHSAA Region 7 girls golf team championship Tuesday, Sept. 22, posting a 353 at Kenton County's Pioneer Course.

The Pandas avenged a 34-stroke loss to Ryle in the 2025 regional and dethroned the two-time defending champion, as first reported by LINK nky. Conner finished second at 357 and won a one-hole playoff against Ryle to claim the region's other state-qualifying team berth.

It marked the first time the Conner girls golf program has qualified for state as a full team, according to Cougars coach Bailey Craddock.

"I think my heart's going out of my chest right now," Craddock said after the round. "For my knowledge, this is the first time a Conner team's made it to state all together as a team."

St. Henry eighth-grader Reese Anthony took individual medalist honors with a 1-over-par 72. Anthony already owns multiple Greater Cincinnati Golf Association tournament wins and player-of-the-year honors.

How Notre Dame won it

Maria Penaranda led the Pandas with a 5-over 76. Notre Dame coach Anna McCord said before the tournament she wanted her next three scorers in the mid-90s. Caroline Bohman and Abigail Gibson each shot 92, and Diana Jiradamkerng added a 93. Mylah Jasper rounded out the card at 105.

McCord said she expected a tight race with Ryle but didn't anticipate Conner's challenge.

The playoff

Conner and Ryle tied at 357, forcing a sudden-death playoff on the 355-yard, par-4 first hole. Sofia Seals and Bella White both carded pars for the Cougars. The pars held up.

Ryle's Elizabeth Dickson, Lacey Wilson and Aubrey Hayes all bogeyed, along with Conner's Eva Fey, Cam Broering and Evie Maurits.

Seals, a junior, led Conner in regulation with a 7-over 78. Craddock said Seals has qualified for the state tournament since seventh grade but often had to go alone or with just one teammate.

Area individuals heading to state

Beyond the two qualifying teams, several area golfers earned individual state berths. Anthony's 72 topped the field. St. Henry's Ari Burton shot an 84 to qualify as well, as St. Henry Athletics noted on X. The Crusaders finished fourth as a team with a 358.

Dixie Heights' Georgia Albrinck shot a 90 and qualified for state as an individual.

What's next

Notre Dame, Conner and the individual qualifiers head to the KHSAA State First Round on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Kenton County Willows, according to LINK nky.