Sheils struggled most of the day but was able to make a crucial birdie on the 14th hole and par three of the final four holes to claim a two-shot victory. Sheils, who was playing in her third Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Classic, was overcome with emotion after her victory.

“To win this tournament means so much,” Sheils said. “I’ve come a long way in my career. This event was my first national junior golf event two years ago and to win it means so much.”

Lindy La Bauve of Scottsdale, Ariz., finished second after shooting a four-round total of 295. 2006 Champion Kristen Schelling of Mesa, Ariz., finished five shots behind Sheils in third place, with a four-day total of 298.

Gibson played steady golf during his final round, and made three birdies on the back nine, including birdies on the 16th and 17th holes. Gibson shot his third-consecutive round of 1-under-par 70 to finish with a four-day total of 3-under-par 281. Gibson credited his play in the tournament to his preparation before the event.

“I practiced so hard leading up to this event,” Gibson said. “It’s feel great to be playing my best at the end of my junior career and I hope to carry it over to the start of my college career.”

Andrew Perez of Oxnard, Calif., and Logan Harrell of Huntersville, N.C., finished in a tie for second. Each of them finished six shots behind the leader, with a tournament total of 287. John Ladow finished in fourth place, shooting the best score of the final round, a 3-under-par 68. Stefan Brewer of Charlotte, N.C., and Christopher Morris of Maysville, Ky., finished in fifth place, carding four-round totals of 290.

In the 21st-annual Patrick Cannon Memorial Long Drive Contest, Daniel Crawford of St. Joseph, Mo., won the Boys Division with a record drive of 348 yards. Marina Martinez of Modesto, Calif., won the Girls Division as her drive traveled a record 325 yards.

The 2008 Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Classic will take place at The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst.

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