Girls golf: Northwest Class AA state preview
Girls golf
Class AA state tournament preview
When: Tee times begin today at 8:30 a.m.; second round Saturday.
Where: Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center, Carbondale
Team race: A 331 by Barrington to win sectionals was a solid round from a deep team. Many of the Fillies have been to state and it has been a great multi-year run by seniors McCall Barsamian, Marina Karamanis, Brittany Keiter, Amanda Schmitz and Courney Shattuck. Sophomore Taylor Quinn has also been a big contributor to her team's success and will represent its future. Last year, Barrington finished seventh at state and is looking to improve. Defending state champ Normal University is back with four returning seniors.
Individuals to watch:
Last's year's individual state champ Alexandra Lederhausen of Hinsdale Central will have a chance at two in a row. But St. Viator junior Kaela Klune returns to state after finishing tied for second in tough sectional with St. Charles North's Brooke Bettis and Geneva's Kim Conner behind medalist Lisa Joyce of Fenwick. Those five should all be well represented on the state leaderboard. As should sophomore Kris Yoo, who advanced for Conant. She finished in a three-way tie for second at the Rockford Guilford sectional behind defending state runner up Hailey Koschmann of Lake Forest. Although Prospect was edged by New Trier by just 5 strokes to miss a chance as a team, Marietta Smith did advance as an individual by shooting an 81 in the St. Ignatius sectional at Cog Hill. No member of the Knights shot more than an 88 at sectionals and the whole crew will travel to Carbondale as Smith's cheering section.
What they're saying:
"She's really playing great this year. Her mental approach to the game has become really exciting to watch. So many kids let a bad hole separate them. Mentally, she's just an outstanding player right now. I think she really has a chance to medal. There's a lot of good players at state but I really think she'll be able to hold her own." -- Viator coach Mick Drewes on Kaela Klune
"As always, we're really excited the team came through for the fourth year in a row. I think we're going to rely on our senior leadership to do what we can do down state. When the sectionals were over, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It's been a goal all season to make it. Everybody's going to be playing their best golf and enjoying the moment." -- Barrington coach Jodi Schoeck
"We're all excited for her. (Marietta Smith's) definitely had a great year. She deserves this. She's always focused in preparing for her events. She's going to be ready on Friday and Saturday. Everyone is coming down to support Marietta this weekend so it should be fun." -- Prospect coach Jim Hamann
"She feels pretty confident in how she's playing right now. She's excited and is feeling very good about being there. She doesn't seem nervous." -- Conant coach Diana Johannesen on Kris Yoo
-- Bill Swick