York Lady Dukes

AT A GLANCE
Conference West Suburban Silver
Home course Sugar Creek, 500 E. Van Buren, Villa Park
Last season 7th at regionals
Coach Barb Tilden

Top returners
Kelly Carlquist    jr.
Kara Flando    sr.
Trisha Goss    sr.
Cara Koscher    jr.
Linda Fredrick    so.

Promising newcomers
Michelle Lotfi    jr.
Sarah DiDominick    jr.
Claire Sanders    jr.
Mary Kate Rohn    jr.
Megan Scott    so.
Samantha Schreider    fr.

KEY MEETS
Aug. 25 York Invite
Sept. 10 vs. Hinsdale South
Sept. 30 at WSC meet

OUTLOOK
Coach Tilden took a page out of York boys cross country coach Joe Newton’s practice book this offseason. No, the Lady Dukes did not prepare themselves to run each course they play.

Instead, the Lady Dukes conditioned themselves to be better golfers.

Every hour of practice they put in was good for four holes. The contest throughout the summer was to reach 500 holes and Tilden said six Lady Dukes broke that barrier.

“It was fun for the girls to keep track of how much they practiced,” Tilden said. “And for a lot of them they did show a lot of improvement.”

After a strong 2007 season, the Lady Dukes are again in position continue that success.
Leading the way is Carlquist, a sectional qualifier last year who comes in as the team’s No. 1 player.

“She made sectionals last year and I know for her, she’d love to see the whole team go,” Tilden said.

Joining Carlquist are four-year players and captains Flando and Goss. Koscher and Fredrick were on the regional roster last year when the Lady Dukes were 34 strokes better than in 2006.

“We have a great group of girls that are all good golfers,” Tilden said. “They all want to play their best.
“They have all really worked on their game,” she added. “We’re right there with everybody else and we’re not going to be disappointed with what happens this year.”

The Lady Dukes expect to be in the thick of the WSC race, too. Lyons Township and Hinsdale Central are the typical favorites, while Hinsdale South and Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South also have solid programs.

“I think we can be competitive with all of them,” Tilden said.

The Lady Dukes opened the season on Monday, taking fifth at the Marian Catholic Invite. Carlquist (92), Rohn (95), Koscher (95) and Goss (96) accounted for the team score. On Tuesday, Goss (36), Carlquist (37), Koscher (42) and Rohn (46) were the top scorers in a victory over Willowbrook.

Glenbard East Rams

AT A GLANCE
Conference DuPage Valley Conference
Home course Glendale Lakes, 1550 President St., Glendale Heights
Coach Scott Miller

Top players
Michele Graham    jr.
Sara Nieman    jr.
Mia Paglivca    so.
Isabella Parili    so.

KEY MEETS
Aug. 26 vs. Willowbrook
Sept. 2 vs. Glenbard South
Sept. 29 at DVC meet

OUTLOOK
The Rams hit the course for the first time as a girls golf program on Tuesday in a dual against Glenbard South. The Rams won the meet 247-267.

However, Miller and his team are not worried about the wins and losses. The main thing he wants out of the season is improvement.

“We are not going to get caught up in our scores,” said Miller, who has nine girls on the team. “We just want to try to keep getting better.
“It’s been a fun group to work with so far. They are receptive to what we are teaching them and are improving.”

Graham comes into the season slated as the team’s No. 1 golfer and earned medalist honors on Tuesday with a 52. Miller said she is consistent off the team and has a solid short game. Nieman, Paglivca and Parili rounded out the top four at the start.

The Rams also expect to get contributions from freshman Jessica Torrevillas, sophomores Miranda Springer-Mahal and Taylor Logan and seniors Lily Nicholson and Sosun Ahmedyar.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with these kids,” Miller said. “I have seen some improvement already and we are going to continue to make strides.”

Willowbrook Warriors

AT A GLANCE
Conference West Suburban Gold
Home course Ken Loch, 1 South 601 Finley Road, Lombard
Coach Jim White

Top returners
Lyn Swanson    so.
Rachel Karcz    jr.
Maddie Temple    jr.
Amanda Pleiter    jr.

Promising newcomers
Sam Taylor    sr.
Katie Taylor    sr.
Taylor Ryan    jr.

KEY MEETS
Aug. 30 Willowbrook Invite
Sept. 20 at WSG meet

OUTLOOK
Coach White saw his top six golfers from the 2007 team graduate, leaving his squad a bit depleted heading into this season.

“To say the least, we’re completely inexperienced,” White said. “But we have a chance to compete and get better. I do have an enthusiastic group that wants to play and wants to get better.”

One plus for the Warriors is they have a fairly young lineup, which could bode well for the upcoming years.

Swanson, Karcz, Temple and Pleiter did not compete on varsity last year, but are all returning golfers.

“They have the integrity of the game in mind and they are learning the game,” White said.
Something that will continue to pay dividends as the season progresses.
“They’ll see their successes. I have girls that are excited about playing the game.”