VALLEY GIRLS’ Golf

2013 FACTS

2012:  31-8,  UIC: 1^st    REGIONAL: 2^nd    STATE: 6^TH   

2012 Grads- None

2013 Seniors- Jodi Schott, Lexi Moser, Chandler Luzum, Alison Mitts, Jacqueline Fettkether, Maria Chapman, and Carly Monroe.

Returning Letterwinners- Schott, Moser, Luzum, Mitts, Fettkether, and McKenna Lembke.

Tiger Outlook- After finishing seventh and sixth, respectively, over the past two seasons, and with everyone returning from last year’s team, 2013 could be the year of the Tiger. Last year, Schott was Second Team All-State, Second Team All-Tournament and UIC medalist; Moser was All-District and UIC medalist runner-up; and Luzum earned All-District and All-Conference honors. Mitts and Fettkether have been to a pair of State Meets, and Lembke lettered for a 31-8 team last year. Breaking into this lineup will be tough.  However, head coach Robin Madole said, “We could have some people push our letterwinners; it’s not impossible that one or two could earn varsity spots.” Freshman Bailey Moser, sophomore Alisha McTaggart, junior Belle Hemesath, and seniors Chapman and Monroe will all be pushing for a spot.  Also golfing  are some students fairly new to the game in sophomores Alison Leuchtenmacher and Liz Roach; and freshmen Kiley Johnson, McKinley Gage, and Savanna Durnan.

UIC OUTLOOK- Valley has to be considered as one of the favorites this season. However, as Madole noted, “We have a big bulls-eye on our backs, and every team will be up when they play us. Based on last year, I can see North Fayette and South Winn being very competitive, and there is always a surprise team.”

COACH’S KEYS TO THE SEASON- Madole noted, “I’m glad Chelsey Hanson Durnan will be the assistant again this season.” She added, “Our strengths are the returning members of last year’s State Tournament team and the fact that we have depth. We need to be very focused this year because we have set some lofty goals. One big problem is the lack of time outside. This could be one of our shortest seasons. However, the girls have been extremely good about getting out on the course on their own.”

VALLEY BOYS’ GOLF

2013 FACTS

2012:   21-14,   UIC: 4th,  Sectional: 2nd, District: Did not qualify for State

Graduation Losses- Levi Fink and Garrett Burrack

2013 Seniors- Sam Klann, Chris Torkelson, and Spencer Atkinson. 

Returning Letterwinners- Klann, Torkelson, Noah Larson, Alex Fettkether, and Reagan Lansing.

Tiger Outlook- Losing Levi Fink, the Class 1A Golfer of the Year, would hurt any team. However, Valley returns five quality letterwinners, including Klann, who placed fourth at the Sectional Meet last year. Head coach Robin Madole said, “We have some kids who can really push our lettermen.” Those “pushers” include the senior Atkinson and juniors Steven Williams, Brady Guyer, and Collin Bauch. The Tigers also field eight underclassmen that were on the course as much as possible last summer. The eight are sophomore Grant Wescott and freshmen Derek Elsbernd, Brian Hemesath, Jacob Leuchtenmacher, Ean Popenhagen, Josh Waller, Paul Franzen, and Mitchell Wettleson.

UIC OUTLOOK- Madole stated, “You can always count on Sumner-Fredericksburg being in the hunt. South Winn and North Fayette could provide a tough challenge.”

Coach’s Keys to the Season- According to Madole, “We think we can challenge for the top half. However, if things break right and the boys continue to improve during a very short season, we could surprise a lot of teams at conference and tournament time.”