Mattoon's Blair Powers prepares for third straight state golf tournament appearance

After winning her regional and finishing third in her sectional, Mattoon senior Blair Powers is an All-State contender in her final season.

She'll compete at the IHSA Class 2A Girls Golf State Tournament at Hickory Point Golf Club in Decatur on Friday, with the finals on Saturday. Her scheduled tee time is 10:37 a.m. Friday.

Powers finished 40th in Class 1A two seasons ago as a sophomore before finishing 37th in Class 2A last season.

Competing in the Class 1A tournament at Red Tail Run in Decatur will be Sullivan's Shaelyn Ellis and Charleston's Alex Clayton. Ellis won her regional in Tuscola.

Apollo representing at boys tournament

The Class 2A boys state tournament will take place at Weibring Golf Club in Normal on Friday and Saturday.

The Apollo Conference qualified three teams to state, while Mattoon and Mahomet-Seymour qualified individuals but just missed out on making the cut for the state championships.

"It's just been a murderer's row the last couple of years," Mount Zion coach Colby Burdick said of the Apollo. "Five out of six teams that are state-quality. It's kind of prepared us well."

Charleston finished a couple of strokes ahead of the Braves for second place at the Apollo Conference championship. Trojans star Hudson Meister won his sectional and will be a contender at the top of the leaderboard this weekend while he competes with the rest of his teammates.

Meister is one of the top juniors in the area alongside four Mount Zion golfers that'll all return next year. That means the Apollo will be the top golf conference in Central Illinois for at least another season.

Will Pullen qualified for Mattoon, shooting 78 at sectionals to advance.