Ellett makes some history for Hampshire
BYRON -- There was a lot for Hampshire's girls golf team to be happy about at the Class A sectional here Tuesday at Prairie View.
This is only the first year for the Whip-Purs and they finished just one step from state, and qualified their freshman phenom as an individual.
"The team continues to amaze me every time out," said Whip-Purs' coach Sue Ellett. "I get on the bus every day and wonder what's ahead. It's always good things.
"We shot a 433 as a team at the sectional, we had 444 at the regional. At sectionals you're supposed to get a little tight and our kids swung loose. The biggest thing that I'm most proud of is their tenacity and their ability to stay focused and never quit. To say I'm pleasantly surprised probably wouldn't do the kids justice. I'm ecstatic about how they played."
While the team's sixth-place finish may have ended the season, freshman Taylor Ellett qualified as an individual with her third-place round of 86.
"It was really, really windy. I played really well on the front 9 and chipped a putt in on the back 9, so that helped me come back a little bit," she said. "It was different (because of the wind). Par 3s were really difficult because you had to decide which clubs to hit. I'm very happy with my 86. I improved by 2 from my regional (score)."
It's possible this is the first time the daughter of a former state qualifier has made state. Sue Ellett (then Sisler) took ninth in the state tournament for Dundee-Crown in 1984.
Despite being new to varsity, golf is nothing new to Taylor Ellett.
"I've been playing for a while so I'm used to (competition)," she said. "I still get nervous. After the first couple holes I was OK. I just slowed myself down and got into it."
Tina Tuminaro carded a 112 for Whip-Purs while teammates Alex Field (114) and Jessie VanDorin (121) also scored.
"I had a lot of fun because this was my first time at sectionals," Tuminaro said. "I really enjoyed golfing with (my team) today. It's been a great year. It was awesome to actually have a team this year. I'm really proud of them and we've all improved as a team."
The accomplishments of this young team should mean good things to come.
"It's our first year (as a team)," coach Ellett said. "I have three freshmen and three sophomores. They're all coming back next year. Hopefully, we'll get back here again. At least all these kids know what it's like to play in a sectional.
"I'm extremely proud. This was a (successful season) for Hampshire golf this year. Our goal was to be competitive by the end of the year and we just shot our best score ever."
Sophomore Erin Schneider shot a 102 to lead a very young St. Edward (436) team.
"I wanted to shoot a little bit better on the back 9," said Schneider, who missed the state cut. "Overall, I've been pretty consistent this season. In the beginning it was kind of distracting.
"I'm going to practice a lot more. I'm going to take the off-season, work really hard on my swing and try to go down state next season."
"We went downstate last year," said Green Wave coach Mike Lehman. "We're real happy to be back at sectionals. We're an extremely young team right now. I think we will be someone to be reckoned with in the future. We had a couple of sophomores, a freshman and one junior out there today. We're kind of young and looking forward to the next couple years."
Schneider was backed up by Hannah Carter (105), Danielle Coffman (114) and Nicole Mattoon (115).
"I love my team," Schneider said. "They played really well. I know they played their best so I'm happy with the way everything turned out."
While the Green Wave won't make it to state this year, the effort primed them for the future.
"Overall, we kept our chins up," Lehman said. "The girls are great little athletes out there. (We played) under tough conditions with the wind. I'm real proud of them. We learned what it takes to win. We saw the girls that were out there grinding. That's something that the girls will remember.
"I want them to always think about success because that will bring it on for them."
Driscoll junior GiGi DiGrazia was the individual medalist with a 77 while El Paso (388) and Westmont (405) advanced as teams.
At St. Ignatius: Carly Schneider was one of the many hard-luck individuals at the Class AA St. Ignatius sectional at Cog Hill No. 1.
The Streamwood sophomore snared a final spot at the St. Charles East regional, only to fall short of state by a pair of strokes with an 83.
"We were pretty much thinking she was in," said Streamwood-South Elgin-Bartlett co-op coach Sue Hannula. "I forgot the better players teed off later in the day. She was pretty disappointed. (But) she is only a sophomore. If she works hard, there's no doubt she'll be right there next year. She has a real good work ethic and loves the game."
Dundee-Crown senior Beth Nowicke ended her career on a positive note after bettering her front-nine 52 by 10 strokes to finish with a 94.
"I got off to a really rocky start but finished strong on the back side," said Nowicke, who was making her second sectional appearance. "I was really happy with my 42."
-- Kevin McGavin