FRANKLIN – Nikki LaLonde closed out her high school golf career on a positive note Saturday.

The Warsaw senior finished strong in play at the IHSAA State Finals at The Legends Golf Club.

LaLonde fired a final round of 87 Saturday, seven strokes better than her opening round Friday in the two-day event.

LaLonde finished with a two-day total of 181 to finish in 78th place among the field of 100 competitors.

“It was a great experience for Nikki,” said Warsaw coach Chris LaLonde in a phone interview Saturday night. “She played good. It was a long, tough course.”

LaLonde, who is also Nikki’s mother, said the course played very tough with rain there the last three days.

LaLonde, who also played with her Warsaw team in the first round of the State Finals in 2011, shot 44 on the back nine Saturday to begin her round and then 43 over the final nine. She had one birdie and a total of six pars Saturday over the par 72 layout at The Legends.

“Nikki felt a lot better today when she finished,” said coach LaLonde. “She had a smile on her face. She was able to conquer some of the holes today that hurt her score on Friday.”

“The big thing is that she accomplished her goal this season of making it to State. I’m proud of her for reaching her goal and she should be proud of herself too.”

LaLonde added that the next step now is to look at college options for next year.

No. 2 Carmel captured the state championship with a two-day total of 604. The Greyhounds, who were state runner-up three of the last four years, shot 300 Saturday to win the program’s second state title.

No. 1 Penn finished as runner-up with its’ two-day total of 631. The Kingsmen, who have won four state titles, shot 312 Saturday. The runner-up finish is the second for Penn, which was also second in 2011.

Star Kari Bellville led Penn with a 72 Saturday to finish tied for fourth place overall at 147. Bellville, one of four seniors in the Kingsmen lineup, will play at Notre Dame.

NorthWood, making its’ first-ever appearance at State, ended up in 15th place with a 736. Coach Adam Yoder’s team, which won the Northern Lakes Conference title this fall, shot 375 Saturday.

Senior standout Heidi Morganthaler led the Panthers with a two-round total of 169. She shot 89 on Saturday.

Sophomore Linnzie Richner finished with a 180 for NorthWood, including an 87 Saturday. Freshman Summer Stillson shot 97 Saturday to finish at 186, while junior Rachel Beebe shot 103 to finish at 202 and senior Kayla Stankovich 102 to conclude with a 203.

Valparaiso senior Harley Dubsky won the individual state title by one stroke at 144. Dubsky shot 76 on Saturday to hold on after firing a 68 on Friday.

Rochester, which edged Warsaw by three strokes at the East Noble Regional to earn the final qualifying spot for State, finished in 14th place among 15 teams with a 724.