COLUMBIA: Eagle girls ready to hit links
Columbia's boys program has long been a competitive force on the course, but the girls in blue are making strides to catch up with the lads., finishing second in the 2007 Cahokia Conference Tournament.
"Last year was a great year for our girls program," Columbia coach Eric Turner said. "We had our best finish in the conference tournament and qualified two girls (senior Nikki Mardirosian and junior Erica Finck) as individuals for sectionals. I thought all of the girls made a lot of progress as far as improving their swings and their course management."Finck returns to head a senior class key to Eagle dreams of Master-ing the field.
"Our three seniors are all returning letter-winners and will set the tone for our season," Turner said. "Lauren Stoner has been hitting the ball very well so far and is capable of being one of the better golfers in the area this year. Erica Finck, who qualified for sectionals last year as an individual, is probably our most consistent golfer and we are counting on her to be one of our low scorers this year. Molly Mees is a good natural athlete and her swing has really improved since the beginning of last season. She hits the ball a long way and is capable of shooting a good score.Â
(Juniors) Whitney Hillen and Chelsea Gerberding have both shown a great deal of improvement and I am looking for big things out of both of them this season. (Sophomores) Kelsey Middelkamp and Renee Ribolzi, along with (freshman) Elly Stout, have put in some time this summer and I am counting on them to contribute throughout the season."
Interest continues to heat up on the distaff side of Columbia golf and a deeper team could lead to even better results this season.
"While we don't have an individual this year that can score low as consistently as we did last year with Nikki, I think that overall we have a better team from top to bottom," Turner said. "We have four girls who are capable of breaking 45, which is a very good score in girls golf.Â
"Our girls have put in some time this summer improving their games and I don't think that a conference or regional title is out of our reach. It will all depend on how much the time the girls put in the next few weeks to get their swings in shape and their short games developed. I am excited about our team because we have some great girls with good attitudes who are willing to work. I think it's going to be a good season for the girls."
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