Hilbrant and Sheehan Qualified for Sectionals
Two Evanston golfers secured at-large spots following their performances at the regional tournament.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Golf
Evanston golfers Elise Hilbrant and Gemma Sheehan qualified for the Prospect Sectional after tying for 22nd place at the regional tournament. The team finished in sixth place overall with a score of 399.
Why it matters
The qualification process allows individual players to continue their season at the sectional level even when their team does not advance. This provides a clear path for talented athletes to compete in high-stakes postseason play.
Hilbrant and Sheehan both carded 96s at the Winnetka Golf Club to secure their advancement. Evanston teammates Tessa Harvey and Vivian Gomberg finished with rounds of 102 and 106, respectively.
The players
Elise Hilbrant
She is an Evanston golfer who qualified for the sectional tournament as an at-large participant.
Gemma Sheehan
She is an Evanston golfer who secured an at-large bid to the sectional tournament after her regional performance.
The details
Hilbrant earned her spot by recording pars on the 13th, 15th, and 16th holes. Sheehan also advanced after birdying two holes and finishing with pars on her final four holes of the day.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The regional tournament took place at Winnetka Golf Club.
October 5, 2026: The Prospect Sectional tournament will be held.
Season Trajectory
The advancement of these two athletes represents a continuation of their season within the established IHSA girls golf postseason structure. Their success at the regional level directly determines the composition of the field for the upcoming sectional tournament.
Hilbrant and Sheehan will move on to the sectional round while the rest of the Evanston roster sees their season come to an end. The team finished with a cumulative score of 399, placing them behind regional qualifiers Glenbrook North, New Trier, and Glenbrook South.
The takeaway
Advancing to the sectional level requires both consistent play and the ability to minimize errors on critical holes. Athletes who maintain composure in the final stretches of a round are often those who secure the final qualifying spots.
What happens next
The Prospect Sectional tournament is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on local athletics, visit the Golf section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
