Saints set their sights high

Few sports on the high school athletic landscape can match the evolution of girls golf over the past decade.

From its inception as a state-sanctioned activity in the late 1970s, there was an extended period in which the barometer for prominence was eclipsing triple figures.

Those days are long gone.

Participation has surged, not only creating the necessity for a two-class state tournament but also identifying a new era in female athletics.

Evidence was unmistakably unveiled in the south suburbs last Monday when Homewood-Flossmoor had two girls break 70 en route to a once-unthinkable team score of 293.

As the local girls teams embark upon a new year, there are several intriguing storylines to watch in the relatively short yet action-packed golf season.

St. Charles has been at the forefront of the girls golf experience, and the creation of a second high school in the community has not diluted the talent pool.

The original St. Charles High School had a bushelbasket full of state appearances, culminating with a pair of titles. St. Charles North subsequently became a formidable power in its infancy, and St. Charles East has been equally consistent.

In fact, the flow of talent is decidedly headed toward the East boundaries.

The Saints won their own regional last fall, and the team returns virtually its entire lineup intact for another run.

"It's going to be a challenge to try and keep up with them," St. Charles North coach Chris Patrick said.

"They're going to be very difficult to beat," Neuqua Valley coach John Keller said.

Rachael Edwards and Jenny Niemiec have defied the increasing degree of specialization, and their athletic talents honed on the softball fields in the spring have translated to the links.

"It can be an asset to be involved in other sports as well," St. Charles East coach Rod Osborne said. "I think (golf) is one of the hardest sports (to master)." Niemiec, a junior, is one of three returning state qualifiers; Edwards and sophomore Nicole Rae were both within a whisker of making the individual at-large cut as well.

With Gina Greco and Rebecca Norris also in the fold, the Saints have designs on one of the coveted team slots to the state tournament.

"All five of them are capable of shooting in the 80s," Osborne said. "The girls have worked hard over the summer."

Geneva has also been methodically building its program through the painstaking process of learning by example. The Vikings are another team with high expectations this season. Senior Kim Connor made the state field last fall, and classmates Kelsey Kale, Kendall McCleary, Lindsey Fansler and Kristen Cagney are poised for a breakout year.

"It's good to have so many seniors," said Connor, who became the second player in program history to qualify for state. "I just want to have fun this year."

"It gives us a lot of confidence," said Geneva coach Eric Hatczel, referring to the Vikings winning the conference championship among former Suburban Prairie League members.

Hatczel has the luxury of loading his lineup with eight upperclassmen.

"Their compatibility with their playing companions is going to go a long way in their dual meets," Hatczel said.

At West Aurora, meanwhile, senior experience is the hallmark of the Blackhawks' DNA.

Two-time sectional qualifier Madison Whitt headlines the all-senior contingent.

"I think they have felt a lot of pressure the past couple of years," West Aurora coach Chris Soulsby said. "It has been pressure they have put on themselves. Playing loose and having fun will be the key. They are harder on themselves than I could ever be."

West Aurora is looking to coronae its decade in existence with a first-ever DuPage Valley Conference championship.

"There isn't one big powerhouse in the DVC this year," said Naperville North coach Greta Williams, whose team is the defending champion.

Hayley Guyton and Kayla Steuland represent the underclass aspirations of individual excellence this fall.

The two sophomores have ambitions to match their physical talents after noteworthy freshman seasons.

Guyton is not only a returning state qualifier, but the Kaneland sophomore is geared for another strong postseason by furthering her maturation on the Knights' boys team.

Steuland led St. Francis to the St. Ignatius sectional last fall and has already established her presence on the local scene with a number of high finishes in summer play.

St. Charles North saved its best golf for the closing stretches last fall.

The North Stars were seemingly adrift during the regular season, but a one-sided loss to city rival St. Charles East became a rallying cry. St. Charles North earned the final team bid to Cog Hill last October and actually bettered the Saints at the sectional to salvage some pride.

"We had a lot of distractions in the middle of the season," Patrick said. Marin Beagley is the North Stars' top player.

Rosary and Batavia have to overcome inexperience to meet their respective goals. Batavia has anointed Tara Cullerton and fellow freshman Kayla Lehman as its top guns.

"It's going to be a season with some growing pains, a lot of ups and downs," Batavia coach Leon Pedraza said.

"(Being the No. 1 player as a freshman) doesn't bother that much," Cullerton said.

"I wanted to get ready for high school golf," Lehman said of her summer regimen.

Suburban Catholic members Rosary and Aurora Central Catholic have Natalie Haines and Maggie Rich as their leaders.