Girls golf: Sharp efforts from Sturonas, Libertyville

Megan Sturonas keeps acing the mental part of golf.

OK, maybe she didn't have her "A" game Thursday, as evident by a few three-putts, but the Libertyville junior played solidly again. She looks primed for a breakout season.

After firing a career-best 74 Monday in the season-opening Barrington invite at Bonnie Dundee, Sturonas shot an 80 to help the Wildcats win their own invite at windy Pine Meadow.

"I three-putted a lot," said Sturonas, who shot a 40 on both nines.

Considering how much her game has evolved since last season, when she never once broke 80, figure Sturonas to figure out her putting problems. She estimated that she played 16 tournaments this summer.

"Mentally," Sturonas said, "it helped me a lot."

All that golf helped her physically, too, especially since she played 36 holes in one day in the IJGA's player of the year tournament at The Highlands of Elgin.

Last season for Libertyville, Sturonas says she shot consistently in the high 80s or low 90s.

"Major improvement," she said. "It was mostly mental."

Fellow junior Simone Mikaelian shot a 75 to lead Libertyville in its second invite of the season. Libertyville's 330 was 16 shots better than runner-up Carmel (346) in the six-team field. Glenbrook North (347) was a stroke back in third.

Deerfield sophomore Elyse Emerzian carded the best round of the day, as her 73 bested Mikaelian by 2 strokes. Sturonas, Carmel senior Kayla Ryan and Glenbrook North's Amy Hong all shot 80.

Sturonas' improved play hasn't surprised Mikaelian. The two have been teammates on varsity since their freshman year.

"She's hitting the ball way more solid and making all of her putts," Mikaelian said. "Chipping and all the little details she's got down to a routine. That's from playing a ton of tournaments. She's working hard."

Mikaelian, a two-time state qualifier, spent a lot of time this summer at Pine Meadow's driving range. She lives close to the course.

"I practiced a lot here," Mikaelian said. "I played a few tournaments, and me and a few of my teammates would play just for fun. I played with my dad too. Nothing huge."

Mikaelian played consistent golf Thursday, shooting a 38 on the front nine and a 37 on the back.

"I knocked down a few putts, which I usually don't do," Mikaelian said. "Everything else was pretty normal. Nothing was terrible."

Libertyville also received an 86 from senior Maggie Piazzi and 89s from senior Katherine Stegman and senior/former volleyball player Natalie Quist.

Carmel senior Alexa Amato had an 85, while junior Danielle Savovich shot a 90. Senior Eva Savovich and sophomore Charlotte Roberts each posted a 91 for the Corsairs.

Vernon Hills, which had only three golfers, got a 91 from junior Faith Jung.