DOWAGIAC — For the fourth consecutive year, the Dowagiac girls golf team has been named Division 3 Academic All-State by the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association.

The Chieftains had a team GPA of 3.74. The GPA is based on the five players who compete at the regional. That team consisted of Rebecca Franklin, Greta Whitaker, Calley Ruff, Lynsie Stolpe and Anna Ironside.

“We have a really good group of student-athletes,” said Dowagiac coach Bob Turner. “I don’t think the GPA would be much different whoever we played at regionals. Four years in a row is a pretty nice accomplishment, but we have three terrific seniors that led the way.”

Those seniors set a good example for the rest of the team according to Turner.

“The younger girls see how important grades are to them, and they follow their lead,” he said. “We also have some really good parents that stay involved and keep them motivated.”

The all-state award wraps up one of the best seasons in Dowagiac girls golf history.

The Chieftains won the Wolverine Conference South Division title and Whitaker became the first player to reach the state finals.