Girls golf: Scouting DuPage County and Fox Valley

The Benet girls golf team is retooling after losing four of its top six golfers to graduation, but don’t expect the Redwings to take a significant dip.

The top returnees include senior Reina Macaren and Maddie Maldonado from last season’s East Suburban Catholic Conference championship team.

“We have an exciting group of young players that are ready to step in and fill those roles,” Benet coach Mike Bremner said. “I think we will still be competitive in our conference with a chance to win it. Although our regional and sectional are both always loaded with talent, we hope to qualify as a team to make a run at state.”

Hinsdale Central placed third in Class 2A state last season, but the Red Devils are motivated to win a state title this season behind top returnees Sara Han, Olivia Zhang, Amelia Gambia and Anika Danda.

“We bring back four of our top six from last season, and hope to continue competing at our highest possible level as the season progresses and be playing our best golf in late September into October,” Hinsdale Central coach Nick Latorre said.

Addison Trail is retooling after losing 12 seniors from last season. The Blazers will rely on a young group of golfers to build a strong foundation for the future.

“The 2025 season marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Addison Trail girls golf – and the future is bright,” Addison Trail coach Nick Pingel said.

Glenbard East coach Chris Nagel is pointing toward a big season despite losing five seniors from last season. Seniors Maya Dziarkowski, Mary Metcalf, Mia Chan and junior Evelyn Book are golfers with experience coming back for the Rams.

“We look forward to starting the season, improving each day and playing our best golf in September,” Nagel said.

Glenbard North is looking for state qualifier Angel Nguyen to spark the team this season once again. Junior Sophia Mora has a big upside and freshman Angelina Nguyen is a talented golfer with a promising future.

Experience is an asset for Glenbard West this season. The Hilltoppers have seniors Danielle McCluskey, Maddy Allen and Luci Troccoli joining the junior crew of Ellie Magas, Gigi Battisto and Clara Heller and sophomore Brooke Klamrzynski.

“We have a solid core of golfers returning this year and look toward the upperclassmen to lead the newcomers to our program,” Glenbard West coach Mary McGrane said.

Lake Park is one of the most experienced teams in the DuKane Conference, returning all six of last season’s top golfers. Senior Isha Patel, a three-time all-conference selection, joins Sam Rottinger, Amaani Patel, Jenna Denick, Valentina Ancona and Ella Ratini.

“We bring back a strong core of experienced players who know what it takes to compete at a high level,” Lake Park coach James Chellson said. “This team is motivated to get back to our winning ways. I’m confident they’re ready to take that next step.”

Naperville North is aiming to exceed last season’s 12th place state finish behind a strong group of golfers, namely Addyson Ciganek, Grace Desnoyers, Ellie Grapenthin and Anika Frantisak. Newcomer Allison Andrews is slated to be a key contributor.

“Our anchor will be four-year varsity golfer, Addyson Ciganek,” Naperville North coach Greta Williams said. “She has worked hard on her game in the offseason and will be competitive with the best players in the state.”

Rosary seniors Levi Eddy and Ava Kuruc both have plenty of varsity and playoff experience to be integral golfers this season. The team has three varsity returnees and several talented newcomers.

“Eddy and Kuruc both bring poise and leadership to the course which is invaluable to their game and the team,” Rosary coach Lauren Hoss said.

Wheaton North lost three of its top four scorers from last season’s second place team in the DuKane Conference. Sophomore Ariana Savenok, a state qualifier in her freshman season, is the top golfer coming back while juniors Ella Nicholson and Lucy Porick also return for the Falcons.

“Ariana is our solid No. 1, but she will need her teammates to step up and fill the gaps our seniors left,” Wheaton North coach Karen Calabrese said. “We have a lot of potential with our underclassmen, so I’m excited to see what their offseason work will bring.”

Wheaton Warrenville South is headlined by three-year varsity player and 2024 sectional qualifier Caroline Schulz and seniors Tori Croll and Heidi Bourne and juniors Alyssa Thometz and Jenna Snart.

York is excited for the upcoming season due to juniors Olivia Gumino, Briley O’Brien and Abby Evans and sophomore Avery O’Brien and freshman Maya Patel.

“We have a great group of young and motivated golfers and we’re excited for the upcoming season,” York coach Matt Monken said.

Aurora Central Catholic coach Mark Schwartz, in his 12th season, is hoping the team can build off last season despite losing three seniors. The numbers are low but junior Nora Schwartz, who finished in the top five in regionals last season to become the youngest golfer – boys or girls – in ACC history to go to state last season, is the top returnee. She finished 45th at state last season.

“Nora and sophomore Alyssa Alicz are our only two golfers,” Schwartz said. “We hope we can represent ACC in the IHSA state finals for the second straight season.”

St. Charles North is one of the top teams in the region following a smashing showing last season, winning the conference, regional and sectional titles to go with a seventh-place showing at state. The North Stars have a slightly revamped roster, lifted by the upside of sophomores Kayla Beu and Abigail Gizewicz to go with numerous talented underclassmen.

“We lost five starting varsity seniors, but I’m excited to see who will fill those spots,” St. Charles North coach Steve Dodd said. “We’re excited to see what a new intake of players can do. It’s going to be difficult to reach the heights of last season, but we have two exceptionally strong returning sophomores in Kayla and Abigail.”

The U-46 co-op team is lifted by top returnee Autumn Burnett and Avina Somvang plus incoming freshman Lexi Albertson. Burnett qualified for sectionals last season and placed first in the conference, while shooting a 77 for third place at the Midwest College Showcase this summer.

“We’re excited to see what Autumn accomplishes in her senior year,” co-op coach Jennifer Menke said. “Avina’s scores have steadily improved throughout last season with each varsity match and Lexi is one to watch. This summer she won first place in the Glendale Lakes Invitational.”

Dundee-Crown rode a strong and successful senior class last season to a memorable campaign, but now senior Ashling Otte, junior Mareshah and sophomore Ella Ptaszek are the main returnees.

“We’re returning three key players from our team from last year who are looking to build on the success what we had last season,” D-C coach Emma Ageneau said.

Geneva is bringing back Joanna Brylka, Paige Flanigan and Peyton Theisen, while newcomer Angie Driessen is slated to be a key contributor.

“We have two sectional qualifiers back in Joanna and Paige from last season and we’re looking to be competitive in the DuKane Conference,” Geneva coach Kevin O’Brien said.

Hampshire is loaded with seniors and juniors, along with several new faces aiming to make a difference for a deep team. Sophomore Estancia Arenas and senior Maddie Franz are two golfers to watch for Hampshire this season.

“We have some incredible senior leadership,” Hampshire coach Eric Samuelson said. “We look forward to seeing the legacy they decide to leave. Estancia has been working hard and is poised to make her mark.”

Huntley had a solid 2024 by finishing fourth in the regionals and winning the Belvedere Invitational for the second year in a row. This season, the team is paced by junior Kinsey Hayes, a sectional qualifier and all-conference performer, and sophomore Miranda Hoeft and Keegan Smith.

“We’re excited to welcome back many key varsity players, along with former junior varsity members ready to step up and strengthen the squad,” Huntley coach Lindsey Allen said. “Our top varsity athletes have put in the word during the offseason and are prepared to lead the way this year.”

Kaneland is looking to win the conference for the fourth time in five seasons, paced by junior Addison Braverman, senior Brighton Davoust, sophomore Emma Kunstman, senior Kailey Kunstman and senior Addison Runestad.

“We’re excited to have five new golfers join our six returning players from last year,” Kaneland coach Bryan Kunstman said. “We look forward to continued growth from last season. Our goal is to build on last year’s success and we hope for added depth with the growth of the program.”