Golfers lining up for memorable year

There will be no shortage of compelling storylines as the prep girls golf campaign unwinds this fall.

With the season already in full tilt with pre-school-year tournaments, the area is dotted with talented players with eyes on the prize for a trip to southern Illinois in October for the state tournament.

There is an added team in the mix as Aurora Central Catholic will field a squad behind juniors Margaret Rich and Erin Doyle, who both played for the Chargers' boys squad a year ago.

A full-fledged female program became reality when sophomore Katie Miller and a pair of freshmen -- Bernadette Sellen and Abigail Larios -- signed aboard.

"The intention now is to put together a full schedule for next year," said Aurora Central coach Jim Parker.

Suburban Catholic league rival St. Francis could be the surprise team of the area as the Spartans have a strong Tri-Cities connection.

Returning team members Morgan Walsh, Caitlyn McDonald and Katie Dorsch all hail from St. Charles, but it could be Geneva resident Kayla Stueland who truly makes a statement for St. Francis.

The incoming freshman had a whirlwind summer of top finishes in various tournaments, entering high school not as a timid ninth-grader but as a battle-tested veteran.

"(Stueland) carries herself very well for a freshman," St. Francis coach Darlene Morgan said. "She is not intimidated by the older girls. She doesn't seem to get terribly flustered and can come back from a bad hole."

St. Francis has already made noise, capturing the 19-team Rock Falls tournament Thursday.

"Depth is definitely (our strength)," Morgan said.

The Upstate Eight Conference has long been a benchmark for girls golf, and this season figures to be little different.

The two St. Charles high schools and league stalwarts Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley are once again prepared to wage battle.

Defending individual champion Brooke Bettis of St. Charles North was the lone area female to make the state cut, and the North Stars' standout enters her senior year after a runner-up finish in player-of-the-year points in the Illinois Junior Golf Association summer derby.

Bettis led the North Stars to a victory in the season-opening Conant Early Bird tournament Monday and followed up her debut with a solid 74 at Rock Falls.

"I played in a lot of big tournaments," said Bettis, who emerged victorious at White Pines in Bensenville.

"(The tournaments) showed me how to compete against nationally ranked players from all over the country. I got to play longer courses, and it really helped me."

Much will be expected of Bettis; the tradition-rich North Stars lost varsity kingpins Kate Babcock and Melanie Helgensen to graduation.

"We have some big shoes to fill, and it's harder to find those scores from past years," said St. Charles North coach Chris Patrick. "I was happy we won the tournament (at Conant), but I wasn't particularly pleased with our score. (Bettis) had a great summer, and there's no doubt she's going to have an outstanding senior year."

Molly Fremgen and Miranda Fencl have varsity experience for St. Charles North, while Marin Beagley, a sophomore, classmate Grace Jennejahn and freshman newcomer Miranda Fencl round out the North Stars' starting lineup.

Cross-town rival St. Charles East also advanced out of the North Stars' regional last fall, and all-conference selections Rachael Edwards and Jenny Niemiec are the Saints' mainstays.

Juniors Rebecca Norris and Stephanie Coon return to the fold for St. Charles East, and Nicole Rae is a freshman to keep an eye on.

"As Rachael and Jenny go, we will go," said St. Charles East coach Rod Osborne. "We're young -- don't have any seniors."

Reigning league champion Waubonsie Valley returns four key members, led by at-large state qualifier Tory Blumenshine.

"I think Rod is going to have an outstanding team," said Patrick. "I know Waubonsie has already had some success; they're going to be tough to beat."

Geneva turned back rival Batavia last year, and the Vikings have a promising future.

"(The girls) really came into the first week with a great attitude and definitely some better play," said Geneva coach Eric Hatczel. "The girls are definitely more excited. We have more depth this year. Our main goal is to make it the sectional as a team. I think we have a shot."

Shannon Delaney and Kristin Cagney were first and second in the Vikings' truncated conference championship. Junior Kim Connor is a three-year varsity member, and the team has added leadership qualities from senior Trish Harrington.

Sarah Kammerer, Kendall McCleary, Lindsey Fansler and Kelsey Kale are also capable of contributing on a regular basis.

The Batavia female linksters have designs of their own, a prospect enhanced by widespread participation on the summer circuit.

"Basically the girls this year feel now is the time," said Batavia coach Leon Pedraza. "We have a lot of experience. The girls have worked real hard with getting their game in shape. We're looking to make a move."

Lauren Lenkowski is the Bulldogs' senior captain, and classmates Alyssa Riemenschneider and Eileen O'Malley are equally competitive. Rachel Hussman anchors the junior class, and freshmen Alejandra Serrate and Megan Ramp figure to contribute right away.

"I think we're going to have a really strong season," said Pedraza.

The top six players for West Aurora are all juniors, and the Blackhawks have started fast out of the gate, claiming a pair of team runner-up finishes in 18-hole tournaments.

Madison Whitt is the best of the third-year players, returning from a sectional appearance last fall. Ellen Christensen, Karina Diaz, Tina Stengle, Stephanie Lage and Kelli Smith form the remainder of the Blackhawks' all-junior starting lineup.

"I told them that as juniors the individual goals we set as freshmen and sophomores are not good enough," said West Aurora coach Dave Zine. "There will not be any problems without any seniors. Leadership will not be a problem. The girls have all been in the program for three years."

Amy Daukus is the senior leader for Rosary, which also has Dana Edwards, Natalie Hines, Lauren Hoss and Courtney Classen at its disposal.

"We're working at it, trying to get better," said first-year Rosary coach Todd Wilson. "I would like to be competitive with Aurora West; I don't know it that is possible."

Wilson will find out Tuesday when the two Aurora schools travel to Stonebridge Country Club for the Waubonsie Valley invite.