For the 1st time since a new classification was added in the SC High School League, a team other than Lexington was crowned Region 5-5A girls’ golf champion.

Chapin High School earned a 7-stroke victory at the region tournament Monday at the Ponderosa Club in Batesburg-Leesville.

The Lady Eagles shot a 20-overpar 308 to beat out the Lady Wildcats (27-over-par 315). Lexington’s Isabella Rawl did claim the individual title to earn Region Player of the Year honors. The Clemson commit was the lone player to shoot under par at 4-under to beat out Chapin’s Lilly Reed Black who shot even par.

Emily Baker (2-over-74) finished in 3rd place, followed by teammate Mia Andrade (3-over-75) and Lexington’s Brooke Burgess (5-over-77).

Up next is the Class 5A Lower State champion set for Monday at Shaftesbury Golf Club in Conway. Lexington is the defending Lower State champion.

State Swimming Finals

Lexington County schools had swimmers earn medals at the SC High School League finals held this past weekend in North Charleston.

Chapin High School placed 4th overall in Class 5A boys. It picked up gold medals in the 200 freestyle relay and had Simon Thompson place 1st in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

River Bluff Matthew Swain was a 1st place winner in the 100 backstroke to help the Gators place 7th.

Lexington High School finished in 11th place with David James placing 2nd in the 100 butterfly. The Lady Wildcats placed 11th, finishing behind 5th place Dutch Fork, which had 2nd and 3rd place finishes in 2 relay events. Chapin girls placed 8th overall.

Class 4A boys saw Irmo High School, fresh off winning its Region 4-4A title, place 13th overall and the girls 15th.

In Class 3A boys, Matthew Ambos helped Gilbert place 15th in its 1st year. He earned 2 medals as he finished 2nd in the 100 butterfly and 3rd in the 100 backstroke.