Top girls golf teams face a sense of urgency in 2017
There’s a different sense of urgency for two of the area’s top girls golf programs heading into the 2017 season.
McAuley and Mercy will close in 2018, and a new school will open on McAuley's property. This is the final season for the Bobcats to compete against the Mohawks. McAuley returns Hallie Heidemann, who led the team to the state tournament last year and has qualified for state each of the past two seasons. The returning district champion is the only team member who played at state last year.
“Our biggest change is going from a very experienced, senior-filled team, to a very inexperienced team,” said McAuley coach Ernie Petri.
Heidemann will be joined by junior Riley Bernhardt and a group of new varsity players.
Petri hopes that Heidemann’s experience and leadership will inspire her younger teammates.
“I would hope the new members would think it would be awesome to work towards doing something so great like going to state,” said Petri. “I would also hope that the new members of the team saw how much last year’s team enjoyed playing the game and how much fun and exciting it was going to state.”
The Bobcats return every starter from last year’s team. The program has advanced to districts each of the past four seasons. Juniors Erin Tedtman and Rachel Hummel will lead the way, as the Bobcats aim to have a memorable sendoff in the program’s final season.
“Since Mercy and McAuley are merging next year, this is the last season for our team being just Mercy. This will be a difficult change,” said Mercy coach Jackie Sheridan. “The girls are very nostalgic and want to give their all for their last season as Mercy Bobcats.”
The Mohawks placed 12th at state last year, four spots behind GGCL foe Ursuline. The Lions bring back an experienced team, led by seniors Leyton Brumfield and Brooke Grotjan and juniors Rachelle Soh and K.C. Bell. All four played in the state tournament last year.
The Lions bring back 13 of the program’s 14 players from 2016, including seven of eight varsity members. This year’s goals include a three-peat as GGCL champs and a return trip to state.
“With so many returning players, we now have a more mature and seasoned group of players who have been through league championships, sectionals and districts, and state,” said coach Marianne Sahms. “We are hoping that they can draw on their experience and success from last year and continue to improve and raise their level of play this season.”
Another program seeking a third straight conference championship is Loveland in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. Last year, the Tigers made the program’s first district tournament appearance.
Seniors Alejandra Bonet and Lindsey Bachmann return to improve on that groundbreaking success. Sophomore Allison Rountree, junior Samantha Skarda, and seniors Kyle Smith and Ashleigh Deal are also back.
“We have an experienced team and a group of girls who have been committed to improving their game in the off season,” said coach Barbara Orsinelli. “We also have great leadership from our senior players which helps to build a cohesive team.”
Lakota West had an impressive 2016 season but must reload in 2017. Four seniors graduated, and top player Natalia Sompolvorachai moved to Columbus. Abby Wagner, Brooke Aragon, and Grace Chard will need to step up and carry the Firebirds this season.
Although the program is just 3 years old, Walnut Hills golf is on the map thanks in large part to senior Katie Hallinan. The senior wants to go out with a state championship. She finished as runner-up in 2015 as a sophomore. In 2016, she won the Greater Cincinnati Women's Golf Association Metropolitan Amateur Championship, then proceeded to post the lowest 9-hole average in Southwest Ohio history with a 35.8.
The Illinois commit and reigning Cincinnati.com Division I girls golfer of the year will try to lead the team to its first district tournament, supported by underclassmen Noelle Scheper, Kate Graeter, Delia Washington, and Rhyan Nunn.
Other programs primed to make a run at district and state berths include St. Ursula, Sycamore, Mason, and McNicholas.
The teams and individuals who have played on the biggest stage understand how much effort it takes to reach the pinnacle of the state tournament. Those who have been are hungry to return; those who have not yet been to state are eager to achieve that goal. For both the experienced and inexperienced, the road to state already began with summer practices.
“On one hand, the state experience gives you the confidence to play on a big stage, handling spectators and photographers and the whole atmosphere surrounding the event,” said Ursuline coach Sahms. “On the other hand, it reminds you how many good players there are in the state and how hard you need to work to continue to improve to distance your game from the competition.”
Editor's note: This version was corrected to show Rachel Hummel returns to the Mother of Mercy team instead of Rachel Hoferer.