Mariners’Oakley, Coady Headed To States

The Southampton girls golf team has some young talent to be excited about.

Two Mariner juniors and an eighth grader finished in the Top 10 of the Suffolk County championships May 21 to help Southampton to its second straight second-place finish with a score of 973.

Junior Caraline Oakley finished in second (162) behind Smithtown West senior Paige Diecidue (148), who completed the 36-hole course at Middle Island Country Club six over par. Ceili Howland of Sayville was third (170). Diecidue carried a five-shot lead into Tuesday’s final round. She posted a 75 during the first round, and shot a two-over-par 73 in the second.

Oakley, who defeated Diecidue in postseason play last year, said she didn’t play her best this time around.

“But what can you do,” she said. “I’m happy for Paige Diecidue. I’m also going to states. So overall I’m happy.”

Eighth-grader Ella Coady finished seventh (182), and junior Mia Wilutis came in 10th across the 25-team, two-day tournament.

Led by third and sixth-place finishers Ceili Howland (170) and Hannah Niggemeier (178), Sayville captured its fourth straight team title, finishing with a score of 944. Smithtown West placed third (998).

Oakley and Coady each earned a bid to the state championships May 31 to June 2 at Deerfield Country Club in Brockport. Wilutis was named an alternate. All three players earned All-County honors.

desiree@indyeastend.com