Girls golf: Scouting DuPage County
Naperville North and Hinsdale Central have been the two area flagship girls golf programs since the IHSA first sanctioned the sport in the 1970s.
The late Ed Rosenthal once directed Naperville North to 19 team state appearances in a 20-year period.
Greta Williams, his successor, has certainly maintained the Huskies' legacy since assuming the reins.
"It would have been six in a row," Williams said of the Huskies' third-place finish at the Class 2A Sandburg sectional last fall.
Naperville North was fifth in the last state tournament conducted in 2019.
The five area DuPage Valley Conference members - along with frequent tournament and postseason interloper Benet - figure once again to be a central storyline this fall.
"It's hard to say without seeing all the teams from last year," Williams said when asked her thoughts on the county scene for the upcoming season. "I think we will be pretty competitive but not like we were three years ago."
Erica Lei, a junior, is the Huskies' lone state holdover from two years ago.
"Golf is definitely very mentally based," Lei said. "I just try to remind myself that the score isn't the most important thing."
Williams will also rely heavily upon seniors Ashlyn Bhatia and Eshani Ragam.
Neuqua Valley, the defending DVC champion, is searching for its first team state berth in 19 years.
"This could be the best team, in terms of scores, we have ever had," said Neuqua Valley coach John Keller, who is anchored by Sarah Zheng, Rebecca Wu and Chelsea Santos.
Waubonsie Valley coach Jack Farnan believes sophomore Kelly Cong could be in the same league as former program greats Bing Singhsumalee and Arushi Singh, both four-time state qualifiers.
"She would have been one of the top players at the state tournament last year," Farnan said of Cong. "I see her getting better each week of the season this year."
Metea Valley coach Brad Lange has high expectations for Abby Terada, Meadow Rolence and Macey Martin.
Second-year Naperville Central coach Wright King has a senior-dominated lineup as Haley Hayes was the low score at the season opener Thursday in Yorkville.
Benet coach Mike Bremner could very well have freshman Audrey Wake as his top player, but he has ambitions Olivia Ruffalo, Audrey Stimkus, Claire George and Kiera Sajewski will "step into more significant roles" this fall.
Veteran Willowbrook coach Jim White has been through the ringer more than once in the single-division West Suburban Conference.
"I am proud to be in it but not too much fun to play in it," White said. "You can't ever get a break. If it's not the best conference in the state, it has to be right up there."
White extols the play of his senior stalwart Emma Rattana.
"She is so pure and has a great demeanor about the game," White said.
Hinsdale Central two-time state-champion coach Nick LaTorre has junior extraordinaire Sarah Thornton to lead his reigning regional- and sectional-champion unit this fall.
Danger lies ahead, though.
"The last few years Downers Grove North has really started to emerge," LaTorre said.
DGN coach Jackie McCormick has four solid veterans in Jessica Cagney, Ruby Bartowiak, Mandy McGinn and Audrey Stanton; meanwhile, Mary McGrane at Glenbard West counters with Anna Burrus, Maeve Repking and twins Brooke and Carly Rosich.
The DuKane Conference is seemingly wide-open as Lake Park coach Jeff Henrikson is very fond of his triumvirate of Marisa Lerario, Madison Place and Regan Henkel.
"We could win regional, sectional and go to state," Henrikson said.
Wheaton North coach Karen Calabrese adores sophomore Bridget Craig.
"The golf part is there (with Craig)," said Calabrese, who also features senior Gabrielle Langlois. "The mental part of the game is the only thing that could keep her back."
Art Tang directed his 2016 team to the last local state championship, the lone program in girls athletic history at WW South to achieve such a feat.
Tang will go to battle behind Ally Heniff, Campbell Bastian and sisters Hope and Grace Cavin.
St. Francis' Sarah Grivetti bears watching in the Metro Suburban.
In class A, IC Catholic Prep senior Nina Calabria and Lisle junior Haley Cassells have serious October designs to be in Decatur.
"Her length can dominate the girls game," IC coach Don Sujack said of Calabria.