Girls golf season preview: Scouting Cook and Lake County
The high school golf season always seems to go by in the blink of an eye, the first of the 10 IHSA fall sports to start and the first to finish, gone as quickly as today's long hitters feast on a short par 4 or reachable par 5.
Before you know it, the area promises to be represented well again at the Class 2A state tournament at Hickory Point in Decatur on Oct. 18-19.
A year ago, Hinsdale Central finished two shots behind state champion Glenbrook North. Stevenson (third), Barrington (fourth), Benet (sixth), Waubonsie Valley (seventh) and Neuqua Valley (eighth) also showed how strong local girls golf continues to be.
Here's a look at what to expect from the Cook and Lake County teams.
Antioch
After graduating its varsity team last year, coach William Hamill has a young group this season that will need to work hard to reach its goals.
Barrington
Fourth in state a year ago, Barrington is poised for another excellent season led by sophomore Reese Wallace, all-state a year ago. Seniors Praise Shim and Kalena Lee also are back from the state team, and senior Sophia Chaturvedi, sophomores Teagan Carden and Olivia Yoon, and juniors Annie Carden and Mira Upadhyay also return, giving coach Tim Martin a nice blend of youth and experience with what he describes as an extremely strong work ethic.
Buffalo Grove
Junior Courtney Beerheide is coming off a record breaking sophomore season that included medalist honors at conference and regional, the sectional runner-up, and tying for fourth at the state tournament with the only round in the 60s. Beerheide finished with a 68.8 average in 18-hole events and 34.75 in 9-hole matches, both school records.
Juniors Adriana Aboeva, Brooke Wells, Megan Ryan and Alexis Ro, sophomores Abbey Foster and Kaityln Bauman, and senior Zoe Petti will try to help Jeff Grybash's squad qualify for sectionals for the second straight season.
Carmel
Gracie Collins is the lone senior for new coach Kyle Lees. Sophomore Idaly Serenos shot an 88 at conference last year and 89 at regionals. Sophomore Gabriella Stephens also returns while Lees is looking forward to seeing which of his talented underclassmen step up to replace five graduated seniors.
Conant
Freshman Madeline Gutierrez joins the program with the ability to shoot in the 70s or low 80s. Seniors Gabbi Zyung and Maddie Clark will be fixtures in the lineup for coach Megan Hebert.
Elk Grove
Coach Jack Marshall said sophomore Hannah Carlson has worked diligently in all phases of her game during the off-season and is poised to take a huge leap in her second season of competitive golf. Marshall said the Grens also are focused on developing their underclass players both with skills and the mental part of golf.
Fremd
Few teams enter with more experience than the Vikings who bring back their top eight players. All-conference players seniors Keira Brazeau and Gloria Lee, junior Merrit Bell and sophomore Alia Brazeau were instrumental in winning a third consecutive regional title. Brazeau is a back-to-back individual state qualifier.
In addition, Lee's younger sister, freshman Kathy Lee, should make an impact and give Fremd two sets of sisters in the lineup for coach Jeremy Malinowski.
Grant
Senior Riley Daniele, a two-time all-conference and sectional qualifier, anchors Grant's team this fall. Junior Desiree Dickson and sophomore Abbi Daniele also are back.
Grayslake North
Coach Scott Ewen only has one returning varsity player, Grace Salas.
Hersey
Lucia Steiner, Jane Sieg, Avery Grove, Heidi Fritz and Ava Klancnik are back, which along with a few new girls joining the team has coach Katie Fontanetta optimistic about the season.
Hoffman Estates
Ella Steel, Jasmin Lopez and Arianne San Miguel return for the Hawks. Steel, a three-sport athlete, is in her first year in the No. 1 spot for the Hawks.
Lakes
A strong July has Lakes positioned for a solid season in the NLCC. Senior Maia Becker has three years of experience. Jia Sing, Heidi Jung, Marley Gaskill and junior Aly Friedel Foat also return to the varsity.
Lake Zurich
Fourth-year seniors Maddie Michalak and Jeanne Yu give Lake Zurich experience at the top of its lineup. Michalak, who narrowly missed a trip downstate, averaged 41.6 last year to earn all-conference. Seniors Carly Watt and Shea Doherty and juniors Milli Hintermeister and Lexi Spetter also will contribute.
Coach Michael Buhr is hoping all that experience will help a push for a top three NSC finish battling some of the top teams in the state, Stevenson and Lake Forest.
Maine West
Sophomore Madelyn Howell competed in the Midwest Golf Showcase this summer. She'll be the Hawks' No. 1 golfer.
Coach Mike OBrill is looking for his team to improve their skills and become more consistent against a difficult CSL golf conference. He also is excited to see what a couple of the newcomers can contribute.
Maine South
Grace Borchers, Ava Jurek, Victoria Karp, Caitlin Vengazo, Makayla Waters and Bridget Woods all return to the varsity lineup.
Mundelein
Seniors Audrey Smith, Olivia Williams, Abby Altergott and Noelle Dadian have been solid contributors since their sophomore year, a close-knit group that played a lot of golf together this summer.
Smith missed sectionals by one shot last fall. Altergott medaled in a tourney last year and has made significant improvements in her short game, according to coach Tom Kuhn, who also has hopes for a couple younger golfers in his program to help the Mustangs lower their average.
Prospect
Five starters return for Brad Rathe's team, who has won its MSL Division seven years in a row. Cathryn Wascher is Prospect's top player, an all-conference performer last year just like teammates Allison Warnement, a junior, and senior Faye Zinzer. Rathe likes his team's depth and is looking for consistent scores in the low 80s.
Rolling Meadows
Sophomore Jennifer March returns after an all-conference freshman season for the Mustangs.
Saint Viator
After taking third in state in Class 1A in 2022, St. Viator is ready for its second season in 2A coming off a second-place finish in the ESCC and reaching sectionals. Captain Lily Zicarelli finished third in this summer's Illinois Junior Golf Association standings, shot a career-low 68, and has committed to playing golf in college at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Fellow seniors Grace Adler, Allie Bullock, Lily Harker, Lucy Jochaniewicz, Helen Torgerson and Kyli Ziebkas are back for coach Jack Halpin.
The veteran coach Halpin is excited to add JV coach Abby Dickie, a 2010 Viator grad who went on to DePauw University where she was s three-year starter.
Schaumburg
The Saxons feature a good mix of experience and young talent. Seniors Brianna Bondarowicz and Ellie Ouimet return while freshman Megan Akers is the sister of regional champion Emily Akers. Coach Michelle Hinojosa said Akers is part of a large underclass group.
Stevenson
The Patriots are coming off a third-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament, shooting a 621 to finish behind only Glenbrook North (603) and Hinsdale Central (605). The Patriots return several of their top golfers looking to bring home another state trophy.
Sophomore Campbell Ray led Stevenson at state with a two-day total of 151 to take 10th. Ray also was second at the North Suburban Conference tournament and second at regionals.
Junior Sophia Joeng won the NSC tournament, was fifth at regionals and 15th at state. Senior Allyson Duan also was all-conference, as was Ava Alimissis, the Lake County champion.
Coach Emma Degen said Victoria Shao, Nanette Song and Peri Yim have all put in a lot of work this summer.
"We have a strong group of returners who all have experience going low in big moments," Degen said. "They have been working hard this summer playing in many different tournaments. Keep an eye out for low rounds from each one of our top six."
Vernon Hills
The Cougars have a large and strong senior class including Erin Choi, Morgan Landry, Carrie Eum, Sretha Chitikela and Courtney Ralph. Vernon Hills is trying to win the CSL North for the fourth consecutive season.
Warren
Ten new players join Leigh Ann M. Mondrawickas-Boncher's team. Warren will turn to seniors Soly Colon and Ainsley Morris and junior Tessa Youngman to lead the way.
Wheeling
Junior Sofia Constantini is one to watch, a good athlete with natural golf skills. Inseo Yun is another returner expected to make great strides while coach Peggy Ellsworth is excited to see what freshmen Caitlyn Fitzgerald and Aashi Patel will add.