Girls golf: Barrington back in state finals
Barrington girls coach Jodi Schoeck has her 11th team competing in Friday's Class 2A state finals at hickory Point Golf Club in Decatur.
This one owns a unique spot in the Hall of Famer's 30-year career.
Schoeck's fifth sectional championship team includes two different players with postseason titles and for the first time in school history includes three players who earned sectional medals.
Junior Nicole Ciskowski is only the third Filly to win a sectional, while sophomore Caroline Smith makes her second trip to the state meet as the two-time defending Mid-Suburban League champion and the regional champ.
Other major contributors this fall for the MSL champs are junior Ishani Majmudar, senior Maggie Hoffman, junior Olivia Lee and freshman Stephanie Su, who earned that third medal at the sectional.
Ciskowski led the Fillies at their own sectional at Makray Memorial on Monday by shooting a 73 while Smith tied for second with a 74.
"Winning the sectionals in our backyard was a big catalyst to propel us into the state tournament," said Schoek whose girls were second by 7 strokes in the state last year to Wheaton Warrenville South. "Returning to state as a team has been our goal since we lifted that trophy on the 18th green last year."
Schoeck said the Fillies committed themselves to a vigorous off season and spring/summer training schedule.
It has paid off this fall.
"We are riding a lot of momentum at this point in the season," Schoeck added. "Playing at this time in the season is all about your state of mind. It's about being able to maintain your focus, stick to the game plan and rely on your routine to keep you calm on the course."
Smith placed 11th last year (151) in the state while Ciskowski (158) was 45th and Majmudar (168) tied for 70th.
"We have those three returning players who can use their experience from last year to help them," Schoeck said. "They have played the course many times and the team feels comfortable at Hickory Point."
"Nicole and Caroline relish playing the 18-hole events," Schoeck added. "They are dialed in and are at the top of their games."
Su's big moment of the season was her 75 in Monday's sectional.
"That was fabulous 75 and she will be a pivotal player for us," Shoeck said. "Maggie, Ishani and Olivia are ready to make some noise out there, too. The team is hitting it's stride and I know this will be a memorable time for the Fillies.
"I have so much confidence in all the players on the team. Everyone has contributed and they work as one family and will give it everything they have this week, just as they have all year."
Five other golfers will also represent the Mid-Suburan League in the state finals.
The group (with sectional scores included) includes Wheeling junior Adrienne Rohwedder (74), Buffalo Grove senior Haeri Lee (75), Palatine senior Jenny Myslinski (78), Schaumburg senior Trinity Corwin (81) and Conant senior Lina Jang (82).
Lee tied Ciskowski for 45th last year with a two-round score of 159 while Rohwedder tied for 54th with a score of 160.
Class 1A: Coach Mick Drewes' Lions are making their second appearance as a team in the state finals after taking second place behind Rockford Lutheran in the Stillman Valley sectional at Prairie View Golf Course in Byron. The Lions were seventh in the 2008 Class AA tourney.
St. Viator freshman Cate Reisinger placed third in the sectional, shooting a 79 behind Rockford Lutheran's Natalie Hooper (74) and Rochelle's Megan Thiravong (78).
Completing the Lions' scorecard at the sectional were freshman Paige Klostermann (89), senior Arianna Arthur (101) and junior Caroline Lavender (106).
The Lions will be playing at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur.