DECATUR — Maggie Pruetzel turned a season-long goal into a state championship on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, shooting a 5-over-par 149 over 36 holes to win the IHSA Class 1A girls golf individual title.
The Marquette Catholic High School sophomore from Alton also helped the Explorers finish fifth in the team standings at the state tournament in Decatur.
“I started this year off with the goal to win state and making it happen is an unreal feeling,” Pruetzel said. “I showed up when it mattered and I finished strong.”
Cate Sanders of Monticello finished second at 7 over par. Whitney Lovel of Campbell Hill’s Trico, Natalie Druffel of Quincy Notre Dame and Alayna Brandt of Byron tied for third at 8 over.
Jacob Simmons, Marquette Catholic’s head girls golf coach, said Pruetzel’s accomplishment made her coaches, teammates, parents and school proud.
“She never got nervous, maybe until the last few holes, but she put that thought behind her and she played great golf like she has been doing all year, even on the biggest stage,” Simmons said.
He also emphasized the significance of Pruetzel winning the individual title as a sophomore.
“To win state as an individual is an amazing feat on its own, but to win as a sophomore, it’s beyond amazing, and she has deserved it,” Simmons said.
