Girls golf / Lake County preview

East Suburban Catholic

Carmel Catholic

Last season: 3-6 in ESCC, 7th in ESCC meet

Coach: Jill Franz

Returning golfers: Jessica Trunzo (Sr.), Isabella Bagshaw (Jr.), Taylor Smith (Jr.), Caroline Thompson (Jr.), Annie Pabich (Jr.)

Newcomers: Rachel Fraher (Jr.)

Season outlook: The Corsairs have gotten off to a promising start, carding a 175 in posting a pair of season-opening wins Wednesday on their home course, Countryside, and then shooting 375 in finishing second to Lake Forest in Libertyville’s invite at Pine Meadow on Thursday. “We’re a much stronger team than last year,” coach Jill Franz said. “I’ve got pretty good depth. I’ve got nine kids than could play varsity.” Senior Jessica Trunzo, a sectional qualifier the last two years, is among the Corsairs who continues to improve. She shot an 88 at Pine Meadow to tie for fifth. Her 47 led Carmel (197) on Friday in its loss to host Warren (175) at Bittersweet.

North Suburban

Lake Zurich

Coach: Mel Fox

Last season: seventh in NSC meet

Returning golfers: Erica Deery (Sr.), Mi-Eh Han (Sr.), Mackenzie Lestan (Sr.), Talia Nagy (Sr.), Haylie Larsen (Jr.), Lindsey Moritz (Jr.), Paige Nagy (Jr.), Melissa Uhl (Jr.), Megan Malcolm (So.), Savannah Saunders (So.)

Newcomers: Christiann Finlon (Jr.), Kristina Kininmonth (Jr.), Erin Kyrk (Jr.), Danielle Sikorski (Jr.)

Season outlook: The Bears graduated six seniors, including sectional qualifiers Gina McCoy and Kelly McGuire, but have four new juniors who came out. The Bears also feature plenty of experienced players. “We have a core group of returning players for varsity, with the underclassmen vying for the additional varsity positions,” coach Mel Fox said. “Our focus will be to improve our short games and work on scoring our personal-best rounds each match. We are looking forward to a winning season.”

Libertyville

Coach: Greg Pedersen

Last season: 2nd in NSC meet, 1st in Class 2A Warren regional

Returning golfers: Darinka Sutic (Sr.), Camilla Ou (Jr.), Paige Webb (Jr.), Emilie Teitz (Sr.)

Newcomers: Anna King (Sr.), Lauren Dohse (Jr.), Izzy Alesna (Jr.), Tressa Freburg (So.)

Season outlook: The Wildcats graduated Marilyn Stone, who tied for first in the Class 2A Warren regional last fall, leading her team to the championship and its second sectional berth in three years. But junior Camilla Ou and senior Darinka Sutic appear ready to step in and lead the Wildcats’ charge. Ou opened the season by firing a career-best 74 (fourth place) in the Barrington Invite at Bonnie Dundee. Sutic, who’s in her third varsity season, opened the season with rounds of 87 and 86. “She’s just a rock for us,” coach Greg Pedersen said. “She’s steady.” Sutic, Ou and Webb, who’s been sidelined with a back injury but could play in Monday’s county meet, were all part of the sectional team last year. “We have over 20 girls on the team focused on getting better and helping the team succeed,” Pedersen said. “The veterans are excited about building momentum through the conference schedule into the playoffs.”

Mundelein

Coach: Barb Hartwig

Last season: 6th in NSC meet

Returning golfers: Meghan Barina (Sr.), Courteney Fabbri (So.), Holly Gotlund (Jr.), Becky Koeller (So.), Cristina Loverde (So.), Lauren Loverde (Sr.), Lorrielle Martin (So.), Hannah Thompson (Jr.)

Newcomers: Shannon Streeter (Fr.), Holly Petlak (Fr.), Nicole Forsythe (Fr.) Keara Hurley (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Mustangs enjoyed a breakthrough season last year. Led by the graduated Emily Whitemarsh, who was a sectional qualifier, they shot a school-record 180 and also carded a 181. In their season opener this week, they had a 196 to best Johnsburg, as junior Hannah Thompson (47), sophomore Cristina Loverde (48), senior Meghan Barina (49) and sophomore Courteney Fabbri (52) led the way. Barina and senior Lauren Loverde serve as captains. “Our girls worked very hard during the summer,” coach Barb Hartwig said. “They attended pro camp, participated in junior leagues, tournaments and played a lot of rounds. They are very serious about improving their scores and especially our tournament record.”

Stevenson

Coach: Andy Conneen

Last season: 1st in NSC meet, 3rd in Class AA Deerfield regional

Returning golfers: Stephanie Miller (Jr.), Nikki Marquardt (Sr.), Mary Beth Popielewski (Sr.), Anna Kaszuba (Sr.)

Newcomers: Molly Cizek (Sr.)

Season outlook: The Patriots boast the defending Class 2A state champion in Stephanie Miller, as they seek their fifth consecutive NSC title. Miller heads into her junior year off a successful summer, which included qualifying for the Jr. PGA Championship for the second consecutive year and making the cut (tie for 27th). She also captured the IJGA Tournament of Champions at Evanston Country Club. Miller opened the high school season by shooting a 3-over 39 at Twin Orchard Country Club, as the Patriots (174) fell to Buffalo Grove (187), which received a 34 from Grace Kil. Stevenson also counted Nikki Marquardt’s 42, Anna Kaszuba’s 45 and Molly Cizek’s 48. On Wednesday, Miller’s winning 2-under 69 set the Prospect invite record. The Patriots (346, third) also received a 79 from Marquardt. Miller kept it going Thursday, winning the Rockford Guilford invite with a 74 at Rockford Country Club. Stevenson (349) placed sixth.

Vernon Hills

Coach: Jim Seward

Last season: 5th in NSC meet, 3rd in Class 2A regional

Returning golfers: Lauren Groody (Sr.), Lydia Flynn (Sr.), Jenny Park (Jr.), Shannon Healey (So.), Suzie Chen (So.)

Newcomers: Kari Lee (Fr.), Shela Lee (Fr.)

Season outlook: Former Libertyville coach Jim Seward takes over a Cougars squad that earned a sectional berth last fall under coach Sean Crevier. “(Our) returning players bring a lot of experience to the team,” Seward said. “Along with the addition of (freshman) Kari Lee, we will be competitive in our matches and tournaments and hope to repeat our performance that qualified the team to the sectional tournament last season.” Senior Lauren Groody shot a team-best 49, as the Cougars (219) opened their season with a loss to Fremd (176). On Thursday, Groody, who’s in her fourth season on varsity, won the Libertyville invite with an 85 at Pine Meadow.

Warren

Coach: Leigh Ann Mondrawickas

Last season: 4th in NSC meet, 2nd in Class 2A Warren regional

Returning golfers: Erin Walker (Sr.), Kim Spangler (Sr.), Heather Rowles (Sr.), Jessi Chiesa (Sr.), Courtney Kunin (Sr.), Ellie McPherson (Jr.), Rachel Berzin (So.), Gabby Cordova (So.)

Newcomers: Erica Price (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Blue Devils could be in line for another solid season. Despite a young squad last fall, they qualified for the sectional for the second year in a row. “These players have committed a great deal of time in the off-season to improving all aspects of their game,” coach Leigh Ann Mondrawickas said. “Our team has great potential and is driven to exceed past teams’ accomplishments. With the large number of seniors (13) on our team, we look forward to developing our younger players. We hope they can carry the torch and continue the winning ways at Warren next year.” The Blue Devils opened their season Friday by shooting 175 in a home win over Carmel (197). Senior Kim Spangler was medalist with a 39 at Bittersweet. The Blue Devils also counted 42s from seniors Erin Walker and Heather Rowles and a 52 from senior Jessi Chiesa.