By RICHIE HALL
Experience can go a long way in helping a sports team to have a successful season.
That bodes well for several Hamilton County girls golf teams. The squads from Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville and Westfield all have key returning players from last year, and that should make each of them contenders for a deep run into the post-season.
The Shamrocks were the highest-finishing county team at last year’s state meet, placing fourth to get on the medals stand. While Westfield graduated seniors Natalie Shupe and Jocelyn Bruch (an individual state champion her junior year and Purdue University recruit), that means three of the five players on the 2019 state team are back for 2020.
The three Shamrocks returnees are all juniors. Sophie McGinnis had a fine finish last year by tying for 15th at state, while Allie Hildebrand and Brette Hanavan both had solid days as well.
“Sophie McGinnis has a great season for us last year and gets better each time she plays,” said Westfield coach Trevor Neu. He also noted that Hanavan won several tournaments during the summer and was the points leader for her age group in the Indiana Golf Association, “so we look for her to continue that success,” he said.
“Allie Hildebrand has an extremely high golf IQ and works on her game all the time,” said Neu.
Westfield’s roster wasn’t finalized as of press time, but Neu had a top seven ready to go. In addition to the three state players, senior Cate Jensen and junior Mallory Mortl will provide that necessary experience. Young players expected to make an impact are sophomore Allie Mckeown and freshman Samantha Brown, who Neu called “extremely talented.”
“Cate Jensen is our one senior that is going to provide great leadership for us and is as consistent as a player can be.”
GREAT POTENTIAL
The Greyhounds finished fifth at the state meet last year, and have the talent to make that one step up back to the medals podium. Carmel graduated Elizabeth Hedrick from last year’s state roster, but returns everyone else.
Leading the way is senior Katie Kuc. The Xavier University commit was the highest-finishing county individual golfer last year, placing fifth at the state meet. She is joined by fellow senior Sydney Longstreth, junior Ava Hedrick and sophomore Ava Nguyen, all of whom had steady days at state last season.
Two freshmen will be making an impact as well: Claire Swathwood and Michaela Headlee. Greyhounds coach Kelly Kluesner said that both “have been working really hard and have had a successful summer.”
“We are anxious to get started,” said Kluesner. “The girls are well prepared and ready to compete. This year’s team has great potential and I am excited to take the journey with them.”
Noblesville placed seventh at the state meet last year, and here’s the good news: All five of them are back for this season. That includes four seniors: Sarah Brenneman, Ellie Karst, Taylor Caldwell and Bella Deibel. The fifth player is sophomore Caroline Whallon, who was the highest-placing Millers golfer at state last year, taking 19th as a freshman.
Other players on the Noblesville roster include seniors Rylee Kendall and Sydney Peck, juniors Erin Burt, Sophi Stutz and Bergan Zebrauskas, and freshman Jordan Adam. Millers coach Justin Werkley said the team is looking forward to building on the successful season it had last year.
“Freshman Jordan Adam should make an immediate impact and juniors Erin Burt and Sophi Stutz should also make significant contributions,” said Werkley.
Southeastern just missed the state meet last year, placing fifth at the tough Lapel regional. But the Royals have enough experience to get them back to state this season.
“We are excited about this season,” said Southeastern coach Steve Guenin. “The girls have been working hard this spring and summer and are ready for high school golf. We have several returning players with experience who will offer strong leadership to our younger players.”
Senior Ashley Marcinko and sophomores Amber Luttrell and Lauren Stewart are back from last year’s HSE post-season team, which won the Noblesville sectional. Luttrell was also the individual medalist.
“Katy Pippenger, Kaley McHaffie, Gabby Willard, Grace Dubec, Marissa Spreitzer, Cora Zink, and Abby Strawmyer all come back with varsity experience,” said Guenin. ” A hard working group of freshmen and Heritage Christian transfer Yanah Rolston will solidify our lineup.”
The Royals will host their own Invitational on Tuesday at Stony Creek Golf Course.
“I’m glad our sport offers a sense of normalcy when so many other things around us are uncertain,” said Guenin.
