But instead of basking in the moment, without so much as a celebratory fist pump, Perry shot over a worried look to her teammates standing nearby. The expression said �Did we win?,� referring to her team's quest for a second consecutive state championship.

At the time, no one knew for sure, as Athens had some ground to make up � eight strokes in all � entering the day.

But as scores were posted on the clubhouse at the Foxfire Country Club, it became apparent that the Jaguars were successful in clinching back-to-back state titles. Athens Drive, with a two-day score of 458, had won by nine strokes while Perry, at 2-under, had won by four.

The emotional six-girl team wept and hugged one another, knowing that repeating their title didn't come without adversity.

A few weeks earlier, senior Grace Stallings, one of the five returning golfers from last year's championship team, dislocated her kneecap on the course after slipping as she walked off the tee box. Her teammates sought to win her another state title, and let her know she was still very much a part of the team.

�It was the hardest thing I've ever done, to sit here and watch them do this today. I'm so proud of them. They did a great job,� Stallings said. �Katherine told me this morning, �we're going to win you another medal.'�

After Charlotte Ardrey Kell shot a blistering 224 on Monday, the Jaguars were forced to come from behind in the intermittent rain that varied from misting to pouring. Their top golfer came from behind, as well.

�It's so amazing. I'm so proud of the whole team. It's a great feeling to win a second [championship] and bring it home to Athens,� Perry said. �And individually, that's always what I wanted to do, to win states.�

Entering the day, Perry was fourth and two strokes behind Kell's Allison Emery. Athens Drive trailed Kell by eight strokes after the first round � twice as many as last year when Athens won its first of back-to-back state titles.

�Ardrey Kell played super golf yesterday, and I said to them, �If Ardrey Kell plays like that again, they're going to win it girls,'� coach Tony Alcon said. �But if we go out there and play our best, putts will fall and things will happen.�

And things did. Most of the golfers from Kell were paired in groups with Athens'. As Alcon and Stallings drove back and forth from hole to hole to check scores, the Jaguars were narrowing the deficit.

Sophomore Hillary Gugig went to the clubhouse with an 85, just a stroke higher than Monday's 84. Mande Monchick, also a sophomore, lowered her second-day score by eight strokes to card an 82.

Senior Sydney Shackelford was consistent, posting an 88 on the second day after an 87 in round one.

�We had six very good golfers all year. To get five in a lineup was tough,� Alcon said. �They definitely came together as a team this time. It wasn't any one person coming through.�

After each team had three golfers in the clubhouse, Athens was in great position. Kell had three strokes more than the day before, while the Jags' trio had shot a combined six strokes lower than the day before.

The only two golfers for Athens left on the course were arguably the best of their class in the state. Freshman Sarah Bae finished just one stroke on average behind Perry for conference player of the year.

After a first day 77, Bae was on fire. Her second-round 71 (2-under) tied Perry and Emery for the tournament's lowest round.

�I told all the other girls �beat your opponent' [but] I told Sarah, �don't worry about your opponent, you beat the course because you can do it. You can master this course,� Alcon said. �And she really came through, she shot like she should and she missed three or four birdie putts by inches on that round.�

If Bae had been paying attention at all to the Kell golfer, she would've known she had beaten her by 13 strokes on the second day. Her two-day score of 148 tied Emery for second place.

For Perry, who shot a first-round par-73 and a second-round 71, it's another honor in what has been a whirlwind last six months.

In June, Perry won the amateur qualifier for the U.S. Women's Open and was competing in it a month later. She also accepted an athletic scholarship to North Carolina and wrapped up conference player of the year honors.

�I was just trying to take some deep breaths and hit it in the fairway and hit it on the green, and once I did that I knew I'd be OK,� Perry said.

In all, Athens shot 10 strokes lower than the previous day. Perry, Shackelford and Stallings will end their high school careers as part of two championship teams.

�We're going to miss them,� Alcon said of his seniors. �There's no doubt about it.�

Aside from Bae and Perry, the only other area golfer that finished in the top 10 was Apex's Michelle Pilo (seventh, 8 over).

Green Hope (525) finished in seventh.