Girls golf: Lake County preview
CARMEL
COACH: Jill Franz
RETURNING GOLFERS: Jess Trunzo (jr.), Delaney Hunt (sr.), Isabella Bagshaw (so.)
NEWCOMERS: Caroline Thompson (so.), Taylor Smith (so.), Carly Bushman (sr.), Annie Pabich (so.)
OUTLOOK: The Corsairs' new coach definitely has a golf background. Franz is an LPGA instructor at Medinah, played high school golf at Waukegan and earned a scholarship to Illinois State. She's the daughter of former longtime Waukegan coach Bob Franz, who now coaches the women's golf team at Robert Morris. Jill Franz takes over a young team that features a 2009 sectional qualifier in Trunzo. Hunt and the sophomore Bagshaw led the Corsairs in the Libertyville invite at Pine Meadow Thursday, shooting 92 and 95, respectively. "I think we might surprise some people," Franz said. "Just from talking to them, it seems like they've improved, especially the sophomores. We're going to have good days and bad days, but I think we'll have more good than bad."
LAKE ZURICH
COACH: Mel Fox
RETURNING GOLFERS: Gina McCoy (sr.), Mackenzie Lestan (jr.), Lisa Kowieski (sr.), Sydney Miranda (sr.), Kelly McGuire (sr.), Jamie Elmore (sr.) Bethany Staackman (sr.), Erica Deery (jr.), Haylie Larsen (so.), Lindsey Moritz (so.), Melissa Uhl (so.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Mi-Eh Han (JR.), Megan Malcolm (fr.)
OUTLOOK: The Bears graduated two varsity players, but Fox thinks her team has many girls who can step up and take their places. "We are focusing on our short game and course management in our practices," Fox said. "Our team is a family. The girls are friends and support one another on and off the course. We are looking forward to a great season."
LIBERTYVILLE
COACH: Greg Pedersen
RETURNING GOLFERS: Marilyn Stone (sr.), Kaitlin Woodyard (sr.), Victoria Mendenhall (sr.), Darinka Sutic (jr.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Paige Webb (so.), Camilla Ou (so.)
OUTLOOK: Stone placed ninth at regionals last year and almost qualified for state. She joins the junior Sutic, whom first-year coach Pedersen calls the Wildcats' most improved player. Returning seniors Woodyard and Mendenhall will provide consistency. Pedersen calls Webb and Ou "newbies"and adds that both worked hard this summer to improve their games and are ready to contribute now. "Both hit a long ball, and how quickly they develop their short games will help determine how much progress we can make," Pedersen said. "With Stevenson as good as ever, we'd like to make a push for that next spot in conference and see what kind of excitement we can create at regionals as a team. Plus, it would be nice to see Stone rewarded at the end of her nice career with a visit to the state tournament."
MUNDELEIN
COACH: Barb Hartwig
RETURNING GOLFERS: Emily Whitemarsh (sr.), Holly Gotlund (so.), Hannah Thompson (so.), Meg Barina (jr.), Alex Maple (sr.), Lauren Koehler (sr.), Rachel Hupp (sr.), Lauren Loverde (jr.), Olivia Dunigan (sr.), Jackie Gearhart (sr.)
NEWCOMERS: Courteney Fabbri (fr.), Cristina Loverde (fr.), Lorrielle Martin (fr.), Becky Koeller (fr.), Nicole DeJesus (fr.)
OUTLOOK: Hartwig is optimistic that 2010 will be the most successful for the Mustangs' young program, and she anticipates potential sectional or state qualifiers. "We had very successful summer programs with all the girls improving skills and lowering scores," the coach said. "We also have several experienced and talented freshmen who will be playing on the varsity team."
STEVENSON
COACH: Andy Conneen
RETURNING GOLFERS: Stephanie Miller (so.), Nicole Crosby (sr.), Claire Lavezzorio (jr.), Molly Cizek (jr.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Nikki Marquardt (fr.)
OUTLOOK: Led by the sophomore Miller, who tied for eighth at state as a freshman, the Patriots are looking to win their fourth straight North Suburban Conference title and third straight regional championship. The Patriots won the Class 2A regional at Bittersweet last season, and Miller and Crosby teed it up.
VERNON HILLS
COACH: Sean Crevier
RETURNING GOLFERS: Sam Neary (sr.), Lauren Groody (jr.), Anya Mollenhauer (jr.), Lydia Flynn (jr.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Shannon Healey (fr.)
OUTLOOK: The Cougars return four varsity players, including the junior Mollenhauer, who was a sectional qualifier last fall. Three girls have played varsity the last two seasons. "We look forward to a veteran squad leading our program this season," Crevier said, "and have high hopes for this great group of girls."
WARREN
COACH: Lee Ann Mondrawickas
RETURNING GOLFERS: Erin Walker (jr.), Kim Spangler (jr.), Heather Rowles (jr.), Jessi Chiesa (jr.), Courtney Kunin (jr.), Ellie McPherson (so.), Jessica Nelson (so.), Jaime Smith (so.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Gabby Cordova (fr.), Rachel Berzin (fr.), Nicole Siragusa (fr.)
OUTLOOK: The Blue Devils qualified for sectionals last year. They graduated half of their team, but they boast 22 golfers vying for varsity positions. "Many newcomers with golf experience helped add depth to our program this year," Mondrawickas said. "We have acquired some great players to add to our varsity and JV teams. Our varsity should be strong and has great potential. Our top two players, Walker and Spangler, worked on their games a lot in the off-season and are ready to lead the team into our competition this fall."