NewsTribune Girls Golf preview

LA SALLE-PERU

Coach: Patrick Goy (first season)

Key returnees: Grace Antle, sr.; Sasha Bruins, sr.; Madyson Zimmer, sr.; Avah Moriarty, jr.; Megan McGuire, jr.; Maddison VanZuiden, so.

Key newcomers: Allie Thome, fr.; Makenna Zimmer, fr.

Season outlook: Goy inherits an experienced roster for his first season as the girls golf coach at L-P. Antle was a sectional qualifier as a sophomore. She led the Cavaliers with a 50 at their season-opening match. Moriarty, Thome and Bruins rounded out the top four in the opener. “We have a lot of experience on the varsity level with three seniors and two juniors, which gives us promise to succeed consistently as a team,” said Goy, who is the co-director of the Illinois Valley Men’s Golf Championship. “I think the girls have a great chance to have success as individuals as well throughout the season and have a chance to medal at a lot of our meets and tournaments, especially regional and sectional.”

ST BEDE

Coach: Rich Cummings (30th season)

Key returnees: Aleanna Mendoza, sr.; Ava Manicki, sr.; Gianna Grivetti, jr.; Brianne Briggs, jr.

Key newcomers: Petranella Mitchell, jr.

Season outlook: The Bruins have a very strong core returning from last year’s team that placed third in the Class 1A Sandwich Regional with multiple players back who also were on the 2019 regional champion team. Leading the way is Mendoza, the 2020 NewsTribune Girls Golfer of the Year. “Aleanna was the leader for us as far as scoring last year,” Cummings said. “Alyssa Heitz was our big emotional leader. Now Aleanna has both those roles and she’s doing a great job. I hope she doesn’t put too much pressure on herself and enjoys the game. I expect big things from her and more often than not she delivers.” Cummings said Grivetti, who will be the No. 2 golfer, has gotten stronger and is hitting the ball further. Briggs, who transferred in from South Carolina last year, is consistent and will move into the No. 3 slot, while Manicki is expected to be a solid No. 4. Mitchell is new to the sport, but Cummings said she’s strong and athletic and he thinks she could contribute once she masters the basics. Payge Pyszka has been a solid player the last couple years but is unable to play this season due to injury.

PRINCETON

Coach: Brandon Crawford

Key returnees: Ashten Wilson, sr.; Emma Kruse-Carter, jr.

Key newcomers: Halli Peterson, fr.

Season outlook: Princeton has only three golfers to work with, two returners in Wilson and Kruse-Carter and a freshman newcomer, Peterson. PHS lost its top two players from last year, seniors Olivia Eiken and Brynn Hieronymus, to graduation, and others did not come out. Wilson is this year’s team captain. “Ashten brings three years of playing experience to lead this team. She was last year’s most improved and we anticipate equal growth from her this season,” Crawford said. “Emma made great strides last season finding more consistency with her game. She has the ability to put together a great junior season. Halli is our lone freshman. She comes to practice with a great attitude and we look forward to watching her grow on and off the course.”

BUREAU VALLEY

Coach: David Lind

Key returnees: Amelia Lind, sr.; Callie Schoff, jr.

Key newcomers: Cassidy Peterson, jr.

Season outlook: The Storm are down to only three golfers this fall, only two of which, Lind and and Schoff, played previously. Coach David Lind was hopeful to pick up a few more when school starts. “Amelia and Callie are returning golfers and I have high expectations for both of them,” David Lind said. “Although Cassidy is joining us for the first season, I know she has played some golf with her dad. I am excited to see how she progresses. I would love to see these girls work toward getting sectional qualifications. Not knowing if I will have any other golfers, we will have to focus on the individual scores and improvement throughout the season.”

FIELDCREST

Coach: Lisa Lindstrom (fifth season)

Key Returnees: Calli Nix, sr.; Natalie Schultz, sr.; Ella McKay, sr.; Ella Goodrich, sr.; Audrey Haugens, jr.; Abby Harms, jr.; Emily Wells, so.; Ava Marty, so.

Key newcomers: Gwyn Frei, fr.; Maddie Monti, fr.; Jessicau Schultz, fr.

Season outlook: With eight returning golfers, including four-year players in Nix, McKay and Schultz, the Knights have high hopes for the season. “As a team, our goal is to make it to the sectional and win the Heart of Illinois Conference,” Lindstrom said. “I’m looking forward to see what each athlete is capable of as an individual player.” Along with the four-year players, Goodrich and Haugens are expected to be strong golfers for Fieldcrest.

EARLVILLE

Coach: Dillon Reel (second season)

Key returnees: Ella Harp, sr.; Kaydence Harp, jr.; Avery Strohm, sr.

Key newcomers: Marissa Congdon, so.; Emma Fasking, so.; Natalie Barton, so.

Season outlook: The Red Raiders have a full squad of six golfers this season, which Reel called, “a game changer.” Kaydence Harp will lead the way, while Ella Harp and Strohm are strong experienced golfers as well. “Kaydence Harp easily has the potential to be the No. 1, but so do Avery and Ella,” Reel said. “Those three are going to be the leaders without a doubt. They all did junior golf. The other three are new.” With three strong veterans and three newcomers, Reel hopes the Red Raiders can compete well in the Little Ten Conference. He said Kaydence Harp has a good chance to advance out of the regional while Ella Harp and Strohm have a shot as well.