In 2014, Seymour’s Hannah Thompson could have played a sudden-death hole for chance to advance to regional against senior-teammate Brittany Trimnell.

Thompson, a sophomore at time, withdrew from the competition to allow Trimnell to play at the next level in her final year with the team in an ultimate act of sportsmanship.

In 2015, the circumstances have changed for Thompson.

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Now the No. 1 golfer for the Owls, Thompson has taken the next step.

This past Saturday, Thompson shot an identical score of 98 at the Bedford North Lawrence sectional at Otis Park to get her shot at regional competition.

Thompson, a junior, regrouped after shooting a 53 on the front nine by carding a 45 on the back to earn an individual place at the Country Oaks Golf Course in Montgomery tomorrow.

“The back nine started off pretty bad on the first two holes, but on heart attack hill, hole No. 12, I had a good birdie putt that changed my mood,” Thompson said. “ I realized I knew what I was doing and got a feel for the rest of the day.”

First-year Owls coach RaeAnn Wintin thought Thompson responded well to adversity.

“She did a great job after a tough first nine,” Wintin said. “I think it was really good for her, mentally, to forget the front nine and concentrate on what she needed to do to advance.”

Thompson said that when she gets nervous during play, she thinks about last year’s regional.

“It’s my happy place; whenever I’m stressed I think about that,” Thompson said. “All the players and coaches, those were really good times. It hasn’t really set in yet that I’m going to regional.

“Right now I’m staying focused. I’m trying to not think about it too much. All the support I have makes me really excited.”

Thomson said that her driving will play key at Country Oakes, as the rest of her game comes along after a solid shot off the tees.

Wintin said that Country Oakes has a lot of water hazards, and Thompson will need to focus on hitting the greens.

“She’s going to need to have good drives, putts and chips,” she said. “This course has a lot of water hazards. If she can keep it on the fairway and out of the water she will do well.”

On Wednesday, Thompson managed a practice round at Country Oakes to get a feel for the course.

Wintin said that all the little things Thompson has done this season have resulted in her recent success.

“It’s really exciting,” Wintin said. “As a coach, I’m very proud of her. She was working hard in the off season before I was coach. She stays late and hits extra balls and things like that. She’s done a lot to make herself better and it shows.”