Girls golf preview
Girls golf preview
Players to watch: Nicole Crosby, jr., Stevenson; Abbie Horan, sr., Lakes; Shannon Howell, sr., Carmel; Ewa Kaszuba, sr., Stevenson; Dana Lindelof, sr., Warren; Gina McCoy, jr., Lake Zurich; Stephanie Miller, fr., Stevenson; Lauren Patnoe, sr., Warren; Grace Song, sr., Stevenson; Marilyn Stone, jr., Libertyville; Sylvia Suh, sr., Stevenson; Emily Whitemarsh, jr., Mundelein.
Outlook: Carmel senior Shannon Howell qualified for the section tournament last year. She is a heady player who maximizes her talent. Junior Delaney Hunt spent her summer at golf camps and playing tournaments. Sophomore Jess Trunzo is more consistent and longer off the tee. Junior Carly Buschman is new to the game of golf but has already flashed her potential. Annie Pabich is a promising freshman. - For Lake Zurich, junior Gina McCoy and sophomore Mackenzie Lestan will be the team leaders. Key seniors will be Staci Marinos and Stephanie Kappel. Coach Mel Fox said the Bears will be focus on their short games and making consistent improvement. She is excited about the team's chemistry. ... The key for Lakes will be finding players to complement senior Abbie Horan. Emily Mason is now shooting consistently in the 40s. Emma Schutz is hitting more fairways, and this could be a breakout year for Samantha Shallow. - The Libertyville girls golf team lacks the star power it has had in recent years, but the game has never been more popular. A record 19 players are in the golf program. The two top returning players from last year's sectional qualifying team are junior Marilyn Stone and senior Athena Cocallas. Freshman Paige Webb is athletic and her game could make rapid strides. - Junior Emily Whitemarsh is the only returning varsity golfer for Mundelein. The Mustangs lost eight players to graduation, but numbers are still strong thanks to an influx of new competitors. - Stevenson welcomes freshman Stephanie Miller into the top spot in the lineup. Miller was the Illinois Junior Golf Association Junior Player of the Year in the Junior Girls division. Seniors Sylvia Suh and Ewa Kaszuba recently carded person-best rounds of 84 and 88, respectively. The team's most improved player has to be Nicole Crosby. The junior hits the ball a ton of the tee and her short game is maturing. - Seniors Dana Lindelof and Lauren Patnoe should pace Warren. Lindelof carded a 39 during one of Warren's tryout rounds. Patnoe is striking the ball much more accurately with her driver and irons. Sophomore Erin Walker has improved her long game, and sophomore Kim Spangler is more aggressive and confident on the course.
- Bob Gosman