New Trier holds off Loyola at regional

Updated: October 5, 2011 8:20PM

The New Trier girls golf team opened its defense of last year’s state title by holding off Loyola and capturing Wednesday’s Class AA Loyola Regional at Glencoe Golf Club.

The Trevians shot a 326, defeating the Ramblers (329) by three strokes. Those two teams and third-place Maine South (364) advanced to Tuesday’s St. Ignatius Sectional at Cog Hill # 1 in Lemont.

New Trier head coach Scott Fricke said his team was pleased to earn the regional-title plaque, but that the squad’s ultimate goal was to hoist state-championship silverware.

“I think everyone on our team thinks they can play better than what they did today, So, I don’t’ think they’re content. They are not celebrating,” he said.

“It’s something where we have our eye on one thing and that’s winning the state

championship. But this is nice. Winning your regional is a real nice honor.

The Trevians were led by their No. 2 golfer Callie Nelson, a junior, who tied for second overall with a 79. Nelson played consistent golf, shooting a 38 on the front nine and a 41 on the back.

“My performance was okay. I’m not disappointed with the round. The score doesn’t really reflect how (well) I was hitting the shots,” Nelson said. “My putting was good. On the back nine I slipped up a little.”

Fricke expects big things down the stretch from Nelson, who came in 13th in the state last season.

“Callie is one of the more underrated golfers in the state. She is going to be a great college golfer,” the coach said.

New Trier also counted and 80 by senior Elizabeth Szokol and 82 by junior Ellie McGuire and an 85 by senior Dana Gullen and freshman Lois Suh. Junior Nerissa Denenberg shot a 90.

Loyola’s Caroline Newell (2-over-par 76) was the first-place medalist in the regional. The senior said extensive postseason experience and a home-course advantage helped raise her comfort level.

“This is my fourth time in the state playoffs and it’s our home course. I was comfortable with the atmosphere because I’ve played here so many times,” said Newell, who shot a 42 on the front and 34 on the back. “I feel like every year I get less nervous. Today, I just came out and played. I didn’t think about it. I didn’t think there was any pressure.”

Loyola coach Jim Jackimiec said Newell has been playing fine golf in recent weeks.

“(Recently) she’s played a very simple game: down the middle, at the green, putt, birdie, thank you very much, move on to the next hole,” he said.

Loyola sophomore Isabelle Kane (79) tied for second in the regional. Ramblers senior Nina Puch (86) and senior Teddi Weigel (88) also had their scores counted.

Maine South advanced to its first sectional since 2008, and head coach Jeff Hamann believes his team is capable of finishing third at next week’s event, thus earning a spot at state.

Junior Kathleen Daly (career-best 88) led the Hawks on Tuesday. But Maine South seems to have had a different star every day this season.

“We’ve had seven different girls medal for us this season,” Hamann said. “You don’t really know who is going to come out and play well. Today was Kathleen’s day for a big tournament, and we’re proud of her.”

Maine South freshman Leia Atas (89), junior Kelly McCone (93) and freshman Katie Krall (94) also had their scores counted.

Maine West (437) led the way with four of the 10 individual qualifiers from non-qualifying teams.

Reaching the sectional for the Warriors were: junior Kayla Hansen (104), senior Megan Edmonson (110), sophomore Olenka Kalinowski (111) and junior Colleen Schloss (112).

“These are the most individuals we’ve ever advanced to sectionals. Prior to this we’ve only advanced two girls (in one season),” Maine West head coach John Hauenstein said. “(Also) we’ve had a drought for a couple years where we haven’t sent anyone. This is a step in the right direction for a young Maine West girls

program.”

Also advancing as individuals were: Northside Prep senior Cecile Frank (100), Niles North sophomore Quynh Nguyen (106), Resurrection senior Geena Fritzmann (107),

Northside Prep senior Alyssa Martinez (107), Von Steuben junior Aleksandra Steinert (114) and Resurrection senior Kathleen Burke (116).

Maine West finished fourth, Northside Prep (468) was fifth, Resurrection was sixth (479) and Evanston was seventh (539).

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