Schneider, Connie Ellett shoot 80 at state
For their first time playing at the state girls golf tournament, Streamwood senior Carly Schneider and Hampshire sophomore Connie Ellett were able to put the jitters aside Friday, each shooting 80 and tying for 21st place in the IHSA Class 2A state meet at Hickory Ridge in Carbondale.
Meanwhile, St. Edward and senior standout Danielle Coffman went to bed Friday night still dreaming of bringing home hardware.
"When I got to practice I was a little nervous but I was ready to have fun," said Schneider, who plays for the South Elgin co-op team. "I'm here at state and I'm excited to have (teammate) Sammy (Coyne) here with me. I played really well today. I was 3-over after 15 but then I was 5-over the next two holes. I came in in par so I can build on that and I feel confident I can shoot a low score (today)."
Ellett didn't show any effects of playing at state for the first time, according to her mom and coach, Sue.
"I thought Connie played really well for the first time teeing it up in the state tournament," Sue Ellett said. "She had an impressive calmness about her. Watching her sister (Taylor) play at state the last two years sent her some subliminal messages or something."
Taylor Ellett, a junior making her third straight trip to state, shot an 85 and is tied for 44th place.
"That's about as high as Taylor can shoot," said Sue Ellett. "I'm proud of both of them and hopefully we can improve on both scores (today) and make Hampshire proud."
Coyne, a sophomore from Bartlett who is also at state for the first time, shot an 88 and is tied for 57th place.
Homewood-Flossmoor shot a 304 and has a substantial 13-shot lead over New Trier in the team standings. St. Charles East shot 351 and is in seventh place. Conant senior Kris Yoo, the defending state champion, shot a 73 and holds a 1-shot lead over five other golfers for the individual lead.
In the Class 1A tournament at Crab Orchard in Carterville, St. Edward shot a 410 and is in seventh place heading into today's final round. Coffman led the way with an 86, which is tied for 10th place in the individual leaderboard. The Green Wave also got a 95 from senior Erin Schneider, a 106 from junior Brittania Scheurs and a 123 from junior Kelsey Richmond.
"The course is in not so great condition," said Coffman, who tied for 36th place at last year's state meet. "There's a lot of casual water in the fairways. I was hitting the ball pretty good all day and I was putting well but I had 2-3 holes where I was just off. My goal was to get downstate and finish in the top 10. Now, my goal is to finish in the top five."
Coffman also believes her team still has a chance at a trophy.
"We're only 23 shots out of third place," she said. "We're pumped and ready to go. We know we're an under dog but we're really ready to bring home some hardware."
Massac County shot a 373 to take a 13-shot lead over Bloomington Central Catholic in the team standings. Somonauk freshman Jessica Schultz shot a 78 and has a 3-shot lead in the individual race.
John Radtke contributed to this report.