Girls golf season preview: Scouting Fox and DuPage 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 DuPage County and Fox teams.
Aurora Central Catholic
Seniors Caroline Kuttner and Natalia Salazar and sophomore Nora Schwartz return for coach Mark Schwartz, in his 11th season. Last year, with just four players on the team, they placed sixth out of 15 in their inaugural season in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. They have four players again this season led by Salazar who qualified for Class 1A state last year. Nora Schwartz finished top 10 in regionals and missed the cut for state by four strokes.
Batavia
Sophomore Avery Sheehan made all-conference as a freshman. All four returning players for Batavia are sophomores. Maddie Celing, Rachel Carlson and Aubrey Reagan join a Batavia team that welcomes 12 new golfers. Coach Tim Kauffmann said he's hoping a few of the freshmen can make a quick impact at the varsity level as Batavia looks to compete with the best in the DuKane Conference.
Benet
With four players back from last year's sixth-place state finish, coach Mike Bremner's team is poised for another big season. Senior Audrey Wake averaged 81 last year and junior Reina Maceren finished strong last year with the No. 4 score on Saturday of the state finals with an 89 that included a hole-in-one on the par 3 eighth hole.
Also returning are seniors Kerregan Reilly, Isabelle Grane and Ashleigh Hickey while sophomore Maddie Maldonado and junior twins Emily and Lauren Busche had good summers and hope to help the Redwings defend their East Suburban Catholic Conference title — a title they have held six of the past eight years.
Burlington Central
The Rockets are looking to senior Gisele Shahzada, juniors Riya Gangavarapu and Sydney Cavallari and freshman Lexi Gibson to be at the top of the lineup. Coach Sean Meyer said Gibson is coming off a strong summer and quickly will make a name for herself in the FVC.
Dundee-Crown
The Chargers return all-conference senior Sophie Morawski, also a sectional qualifier, plus seniors Audrey Zimmerman and Kaelyn Van Esch for coach Emma Ageneau.
Downers Grove North
The Trojans, who missed the state tournament by two shots last year, return six of their top eight. Junior Lexi Fertig finished 42nd at state and was all-conference as was senior Maddie Quirk. Coach Matthew Dillard said all six of his returners have improved, and the expectation is to make it to state as a team this year.
Geneva
Joanna Brylka, Paige Flanigan and Gianna Grubb are back for coach Kevin O'Brien's team that's hoping to be competitive in the DuKane Conference.
Glenbard East
The Rams graduated 10 seniors. Coach Chris Nagel is counting on senior Jessica Rivas, sophomore Lilly Penfield and junior Mia Chan to lead the team while newcomers to the varsity find their footing.
Glenbard West
The Hilltoppers will turn to seniors Callista Brady, Mary McCluskey and Ellie Adduci along with junior Danielle McCluskey this season.
Hampshire
The Whips bring back three all-conference players who advanced to sectionals last year: senior Kaylee Seo and juniors Madison Bilek and Maddie Franz. Seniors Jaina Farnam and Brookelynn Kehl, juniors Ava Janiec and Madison Sawisch, and sophomores Kendall Green, Angelina Lia and Jordyn Penkaty also return.
Coach Eric Samuelson also has a number of newcomers: juniors Mia DeLeo and Shelby Walsh, sophomores Lyla Abdul-Haqq and Danica Featherly, and freshmen Estancia Arenas, Riley Baumann and Riley Hege.
Huntley
Three-time Fox Valley all-conference golfer Madalyn Sloan gives the Red Raiders talent and experience at the top of their lineup. She has won multiple MCJGA events this summer, as has sophomore Kinsey Hayes, who coach Lindsey Allen said has shown tremendous improvement. Allen also is excited to see what freshman Miranda Hoeft can do after her success on the summer circuit and her passion for the game.
Lake Park
The Lancers are one of the most experienced teams entering the season with five of their top six players back from last year's DuKane Conference champs. Lake Park also qualified for sectionals. Three all-conference players return: junior Isha Patel and sophomores Sam Rottinger and Amaani Patel. Coach James Chellson said their experience and chemistry will be key assets in the Lancers' bid to repeat as conference champs and have another strong postseason.
Metea Valley
Junior Ansley Ellis, top 10 in both conference and regionals last season, will be the captain and an excellent leader says Mustangs coach Brad Lange, adding Ellis has really improved her game. Metea Valley has no seniors this season as Lange looks to develop his players' skills and love for the game.
Naperville North
Veteran coach Greta Williams has another experienced team led by a pair of third-year varsity players, junior Addy Ciganek and senior Georgia Riley. Both made DVC all-conference and were sectional qualifiers.
Senior Alex Yaeger also was a sectional qualifier and will be a co-captain along with senior Erin Arnold. Junior Addison Wu and senior newcomers Abby Baldinger and Emma Siswick also will be in the lineup.
Williams said the Huskies have had a busy summer improving their games. With five of her top six golfers back, she said this team has state potential if they manage the mental game.
Neuqua Valley
Eighth at the Class 2A state tournament last year, the Wildcats will have to replace Sophie Lagman, Rebecca Wu and Mady Coffey — all top 50 at state.
John Keller's squad will turn to talented senior Evan Ashley, the fourth player in the lineup last year before a late-season injury. Sophomore Malar Anand played in the lineup during the state tournament and has had a very good summer. They will be joined by returning seniors Carley Rogers and Ruthie Martin.
Keller expects seniors Joann Deng, Natalie Bellis, Meghan Mallot, and Natalia Salazar, juniors Nora Malloy and Ashlyn Steinfeld, and sophomores Aditi Reddy, Ellie Rogers, Keeley Gildemeister and Suchen Liu to all contribute.
Rosary
Senior multisport athlete Livi Brennan dropped seven strokes off her average to lead the team in scoring (48.5) and qualify for sectionals in 2023. Senior May Thomas was right behind at 49.3; first-year coach Nick Bonifas said Thomas has “go low” potential, a long hitter with a goal of shooting in the 70s this year.
Bonifas also is looking for junior Paige Eddy to be a key contributor ready to make another jump in her game after showing a big improvement last year.
St. Charles East
The Saints return their entire lineup from last year's team that just missed qualifying for sectionals. Senior Manuela Ramirez did advance as an individual with a 76; she led the Saints last year with a 40.88 average for nine holes. Other returnees include Charlotte Tassone, Olivia Vosburgh, Avery Andelman, Emma Jones and Ivana Virden who all averaged in the 40s, and that experience has coach Jarod Gutesha expecting his team to compete for a DuKane Conference championship.
St. Charles North
Coach Steve Dodd's North Stars have spent their summer on the golf course, combining to play in over 60 tournaments since May.
Senior Rylee Huddleston, all conference last year, recently achieved a career-low 78 in an IJGA/MAJGT event. Dodd said seniors Hanna Kizman and Izzy Crosse have also made significant improvements.
Incoming freshmen Abby Gizewicz and Kayla Beu already are shooting in the 70s.
Timothy Christian
The Trojans are fielding their first official girls golf team. Last year, a trial year, Timothy had a club team with six players and a couple matches. This year Timothy is up to nine players and has scheduled seven matches plus conference. Coach Aaron Lindloff said his goals are to instill a love for the game, shave 15 strokes off the team average, and grow the program for next year.
St. Edward
After a year without a team, the Green Wave are back with five golfers: junior Kendall Pemberton, senior Addison Gillie, freshman Caylin Martin, sophomore Hailey Buckner and junior Gianna Deutsch.
St. Francis
Balance is the theme for the Spartans who return senior Molly Brennan, juniors Bridget Brennan and Elizabeth Hornicak, and sophomores Cali Simpson, Hannah Grivetti and Addison Morreale. Freshman Mary Jo Collie should make an immediate impact. Coach Jim Knasel is optimistic that the experience and improvement this summer is going to lead to a strong fall for St. Francis.
U-46 Co-op
Autumn Burnett is back after an excellent season last year and will be joined by Abigail Wolf, both on the team that advanced to sectionals. Coach Jen Menke also has incoming freshman Jade Mazenis from Elgin High School who has played well in several summer tournaments.
Wheaton North
The Falcons look to rebuild after graduating all but one from their 2023 squad. Ava Hartnett is the lone returner for coach Karen Calabrese and is joined by JV No. 1 Kate Clark. Incoming freshman Ariana Savenok will be one to watch.
Willowbrook
New coach Grace Rush has four seniors plus sophomore Alyssa Hirsch to build around in her first season. Paige Dehnke should be the top golfer with seniors Nina Guajardo, Maddie Vega and Brooklyn Burmeister also expected to be key contributors.
York
Coach Matt Monken has a mix of players in three classes: seniors Mia Koenigsberger, Emily Heflin, Kailin Mendiola, Avery Orel, Gabrielle Sutter and Olivia Walsh; juniors Ava Hall, Gabrielle Markarian and Lindsay Valdivia; and sophomores Briley O’Brian and Abigail Evans.
The Dukes are coming off an 8-5 season with four sectional qualifiers and one state qualifier.