Girls golf: Scouting Lake County

ANTIOCH

Coach: Kelly McIntyre

Returning golfers: none (first year of this program in several years)

Newcomers: Hannah Cook, Vannah Hallett, Abby Tyrell, Lena Slater, Brittney Zuidema

Season outlook: Girls golf has returned in District 117. “We are thrilled that ACHS has brought back the girls golf team,” coach Kelly McIntyre said. “This is a program that is just beginning again after a few years absence. We are a young group of freshmen, but we look to match up well against Lakes. Hannah Cook brings a lot of experience and nice skills to the team as we look to her to be our leader. (Vannah) Hallett, (Abby) Tyrell, (Lena) Slater and (Brittney) Zuidema are beginning golfers who are learning and improving every day.”

CARMEL CATHOLIC

Coach: Jill Franz

Returning golfers: Kayla Ryan (So.), Alexa Amato (So.)

Newcomers: Erin Keyhoe (Fr.), Eva Savovich (So.), Abbey Carpenter (Sr.), Sopie Butz (Sr.)

Season outlook: The Corsairs narrowly missed qualifying for the sectional last year but did advance five individuals out of the regional at Bittersweet. Isabella Bagshaw, Taylor Smith and Rachel Fraher graduated, but Alexa Amato and Kayla Ryan are back after promising freshman campaigns. “We have a young and talented squad as we graduated seven seniors,” said coach Jill Franz, whose Corsairs also graduated Caroline Thompson. “This group of kids has a tremendous amount of athletic ability and potential to be become a very solid team. We are very optimistic that this team will grow and have a successful season. This team will be very fun to watch as they mature during the season.”

GRANT

Coach: A.J. Havenga

Returning golfers: Kirsten Bank (Sr.), Allie Schumacher (Sr.), Ana Rodas (Sr.), Kelci Valente (Sr.), Brianna Burgeson (So.)

Newcomers: Kaylie Kanzler (Sr.), Kaitlyn Wold (Sr.), Katherine Bouma (Jr.)

Season outlook: It’s Year 2 for the Bulldogs, and the sport appears to be catching on. “I am excited about our team this year,” coach A.J. Havenga said. “We have a more experienced group than we have had in the past with the help of our returners. The girls are looking to be more competitive in the conference and have a strong finish at the NSC conference match.”

LAKES

Coach: Rebecca Schilz

Returning golfers: none (first year of this program in several years)

Newcomers: Alexa Mann (Sr.), Gretchen Metzger (Jr.), Caitlin Farrell (Jr.), Lauren Clark (Jr.), Julia Bobeng (Jr.), Taylor Chisolm (So.)

Season outlook: The Eagles are back and so is the head coach. Rebecca Schilz served as head coach the last time Lakes had girls golf. She had a five-year run. “We are very excited for the girls golf program to get back into competition,” Schilz said. “We have six golfers this year so far, however I think we may have some joining in the next week or so.” The Eagles’ roster includes four juniors, one sophomore and one senior. “Our girls have had golfing experience and have been working hard to adjust to the expectations of high school girls golf,” Schilz said. “We do not have a full schedule of matches this season, in hopes of an easy transition back into the conference. I am impressed more everyday that I am able to spend practice with the girls. They are picking up the etiquette and rules quickly. I am excited to see them play their first match Sept. 4 against Lake Zurich.”

LAKE ZURICH

Coach: Mel Fox

Returning players: Megan Malcolm (Sr.), Savannah Saunders (Sr.), Jenni Gorey (Sr.), Aine Mattera (Jr.), McKenzie Czabaj (Jr.), Emily Broj (Jr.), Elizabeth Viken (So.)

Newcomers: Page Wallace (Fr.), Kaitlin Vages (Fr.), Ally Tucker (Fr.), Samantha Mumbower (Fr.), Carolyn Radecki (Jr.), Veronika Paprocka (Sr.)

Season outlook: Senior Megan Malcolm and junior Aine Mattera will lead the team this year, coach Mel Fox said. Malcolm’s 95 led the Bears in the season-opening Early Bird tourney at Fox Run Golf Club last Monday. Mattera is the sister of former Lake Zurich softball star Megan. “Both girls have improved their averages by at least 10 strokes in a year, and they are shooting personal bests already,” Fox said of Malcolm and Mattera. Savannah Saunders also is back and her game is on the upswing, Fox said. Senior Jenni Gorey and junior McKenzie Czabaj have earned varsity positions also. Improved sophomore Elizabeth Viken will be playing varsity too. “The freshmen have been taking lessons and I expect some of them to contend for varsity positions by the end of the season,” said Fox, whose Bears graduated sectional qualifiers Melissa Uhl and Kristina Kininmonth. “We will be focusing on our short games again this year. The players are intent on shooting their best rounds each day. It is a great goal to have, and we have already seen results.”

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Greg Pedersen

Returning golfers: Jessica Lovinger (Jr.), Tressa Freberg (Sr.)

Newcomers: Simone Mikaelian (Fr.), Megan Sturonas (Fr.), Maggie Piazzi (So.), Emma Hoskins (Sr.)

Season outlook: The Wildcats won a regional championship last fall, qualifying for the sectional for the second time in three years. But they graduated five golfers, including No. 1 Camilla Ou (Indiana University, not playing golf), Lauren Dohse, Izzy Alesna and Paige Webb. “To compensate for the loss of just about the whole varsity team, we have a lot of talented, hardworking young players,” coach Greg Pedersen said. “Simone Mikaelian and Megan Sturonas are freshmen with tournament experience.” The Wildcats have had only two freshmen ever break 100 in school history — eventual state qualifiers Alex Hein and Nicole Schachner — and Mikaelian and Sturonas pulled off the feat in their first high school tournament this week. Sophomore newcomer Maggie Piazzi has a “natural, fluid swing and is ready to contribute,” Pedersen said. The Wildcats count eight freshmen, in total. “Our core of freshmen and sophomore golfers gives us a nice outlook for the future,” Pedersen said. “This will be a learning year, but we have nice, hardworking kids who are driven to succeed. Emma Hoskins and Jessica Lovinger are both much improved and will guide this year’s group.” The Wildcats carded a 173 against Elk Grove this week. “So even though the future is exciting,” Pedersen said, “we might be able to surprise some people this year.” Lovinger’s 41 earned her medalist honors against Elk Grove at Fox Run on Tuesday. The following day, she and Hoskins led the Wildcats with 87s at Bonnie Dundee. Mikaelian and Sturonas shot 91 and 94, respectively, in the Barrington invite.

MUNDELEIN

Coach: Barb Hartwig

Returning golfers: Courteney Fabbri (Sr.), Cristina Loverde (Sr.), Lorrielle Martin (Sr.), Becky Koeller (Sr.), Holly Petlak (Jr.), Shannon Streeter (Jr.), Keara Hurley (Jr.), Nicole Forsythe (Jr.), Grace Gotlund (So.), Megan Wiese (So.), Darin Chaichitatorn (So)

Newcomers: Isabella Loverde (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Mustangs qualified for the sectional last year, and with four contributors off that team back, coach Barb Hartwig thinks her girls should be one of the top teams in the North Suburban Conference again. Veterans Courteney Fabbri, Cristina Loverde and Lorrielle Martin are strong players whose scores have improved. They along with junior Holly Petlak teed it up at the sectional last fall. “We have so much depth that I have six girls who are battling each other for the other varsity spots,” said Hartwig, whose Mustangs graduated Hannah Thompson and Holly Gotlund. “We can’t wait to get started.”

STEVENSON

Coach: Brent Mork

Returning golfers: Nikki Marquardt (Sr.), Surya Vijayasanka (Jr.), Stephanie Namkoong (Jr.), Alexia Fidman (So.)

Newcomers: Myra Peterson (So.), Maddie Schaetzlein (So.), Rachel Marks (So.)

Season outlook: The Patriots may have graduated two-time state champ Stephanie Miller (Illinois), but still boast a Division I player. Senior Nikki Marquardt verbally committed to Eastern Michigan after shooting a season-opening 33 last Monday. Marquardt earned a sectional berth last season but was denied a berth downstate when she came up short in a playoff. “We are looking for great senior leadership from our lone senior,” coach Brent Mork said. “She had a great summer season and is peaking heading into her final high school season. I am excited for her and the level she has gotten her game to after all the hard work she has put in.” The Patriots return three other girls, all of whom contributed at various points last year. Stephanie Namkoong lost in a playoff at the regional, just missing out on advancing, while Surya Vijayasanka medaled at the NSC tourney. “All of the girls will have to take their game to another level and show continuous improvement throughout the season for us to compete come tournament time,” Mork said. “We are excited for the season and hope to be playing our best golf come October.”

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Jim Seward

Returning golfers: Shannon Healey (Sr.), Katherine Koczwara (Sr.), Kari Lee (Jr.), Fayth Kim (Jr.), Heasu Lee (Jr.)

Newcomers: Faith Jung (Fr.), Ally Ripes (Fr.)

Season outlook: Freshman Faith Jung bolsters the Cougars’ depth. “We will have a solid team with great leadership from our two senior players (Shannon Healey and Katherine Koczwara), a great core of juniors and an outstanding freshman in Faith Jung,” coach Jim Seward said. “Our goal is to compete for a top-three finish at the conference tournament and qualify our team from the regional to the sectional tournament. Kari Lee and a couple of others will have an outside shot at qualifying as an individual to the state tournament. If the golf courses stay fast and firm, our straight hitters who have good short games will have an opportunity to shoot some low scores.”

WARREN

Coach: Lee Ann Mondrawickas

Returning players: Izzy Cordova (So.), Erica Price (Jr.), Gabby Cordova (Sr.), Rachel Berzin (Sr.), Kelly Kaiser (Sr.)

Newcomers: Katrina Steffy (Fr.), Haley Burton (Fr.), Anna Telling (Fr.), Jeanie Kasper (Fr.), Nicole Urquhart (Fr.), Kyla McPherson (Jr.), Nikki Siragusa (Sr.), Kayla Ostrowski (Sr.), Keralynn Little (Jr.), Asha Lake (Fr.), Matte Duncan (Fr.), Alyssa Micksch (Sr.), Kristin Ostrowski (Fr.), Alaja Young-Keyes (So.)

Season outlook: The Blue Devils graduated a pair of sectional qualifiers in Rachel Berzin and Ellie McPherson, but coach Lee Ann Mondrawickas thinks her squad has the ability to score well again this year. “The top returning players put in long hours in the off-season to prepare for this fall season,” she said. “Improvements have been made and scores have dropped as a result. Tryout scores from Izzy Cordova and Erica Price were noticeably lower than past years. The team is focused to be even more competitive in conference play on a more consistent basis. We have a number of newcomers with golf knowledge and experience that we hope will elevate the overall level of competition on our team. We look forward to blending the talent of the returning and the new players and seeing where it takes us.”