Girls High School Golf Preview
Tue. September 04, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. | By Solange Reyner
Tenoroc's Kayla Connors, left, and Bartow's Markie McCann are two of the top girls golfers in the county. (Photo by GEORGE AYCRIGG AND ERNST PETERS | LEDGER MEDIA GROUP)
SOLANGE REYNER
THE LEDGER
The top five girls golfers and the top five girls golf teams in Polk County for the 2012 season:
ATHLETES TO WATCH
KAYLA CONNORS, TENOROC, SR.: The lone female golfer to advance to the state tournament last year, Connors was the PolkPreps.com golfer of the year. She posted a nine hole average of 39.5 last season and also won the district title.
MARKIE MCCANN, BARTOW, JR.: A first team All-County selection last year who won the Junior Citrus Open girls overall title in late July. She also won the individual Polk County Invitational title last year and finished ninth in the region in high school play.
LAUREN THIELEN, ALL SAINTS ACADEMY, FR.: A first team All-County selection last year who finished third in the district last year and qualified for regionals. She will likely play with the boys and as an individual in district, county and regional tournaments.
ATHENA YANG, WINTER HAVEN, FR.: The second-ranked golfer on the Florida Junior Tour in the girls 13-15 age group who consistently posts a 36 nine hole average. She won the Junior Citrus Open girls overall title two years in a row but did not compete this year.
AMANDA GARTRELL, LAKE GIBSON, FR.: One of the top junior golfers in the state who takes over the No. 1 spot at Lake Gibson. Her nine hole average is a 37.
TEAMS TO WATCH
GEORGE JENKINS: Finished second in the district and fifth in regionals. Lost seniors Jaclyn Jenkins and Linda Williams but return juniors Crislyn Lucas and Alexis Khalil and sophomores Morgan Shock, Mani Jenkins, and Kaitlyn Koturo. Shock, Lucas and Jenkins helped the Eagles get to regionals last year.
BARTOW: Have a new coach in Jacqueline Horne, but return McCann and seniors Jackie Caron and Nicole Radivilov, who helped Bartow finish third in a tight district race. Team also won the Polk County Invitational title last year and placed fourth at the regional tournament.
MCKEEL ACADEMY: Finished 8-5 last season and second in the district, sixth in the region. Return sophomore Shelby Hart, a second team All-County selection who posted a nine hole average of 42 last year, and junior Victoria Sheperd, freshman Chloe Grenfell and 8th grader Lauren Sheperd. Hart and sophomore Alexandra Trimble, a first year player, will be expected to compete with higher level players in the county.
FROSTPROOF: Won the Class 1A, District 13 title and placed fifth in the region. Have a new coach in Simone Aldrich and will be expected to compete again deep in the playoffs with the return of five seniors: Amber Riedel, Reagan Miller, Allyssia Raines and Samantha Franks. Madison Aldrich, a first team All-County selection last year, will start again at the No. 1 spot. She posted a nine hole average of 40 last year.
LAKE GIBSON: Has one of the top junior golfers in the state in Gartrell and return Lynsy Snapp, who advanced to regionals last year.
IMPORTANT DATES
POLK COUNTY INVITATIONAL: Oct. 8.
DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS: Oct. 15-16.
REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS: Oct. 22-23.
FHSAA FINALS: Oct. 30-31.
Capsules provided by coaches:
School: McKeel Academy
Coach: Dennis Brown
Last Season’s Record: 8-5
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: 6th
District Finish: 2nd
Top Athletes: So. Shelby Hart, Jr. Victoria Sheperd, Fr. Chloe Grenfell, 8th grade Lauren Sheperd, So. Alexandra Trimble, So. Ashley Butler.
Scouting Report: This promises to be my strongest and most well rounded team ever. They are very experienced for their age and ready to compete at their highest level ever. I am expecting Shelby Hart and Alexandra Trimble to compete with the higher level players in the county.
School: Lake Gibson
Coach: Bon Delong
Last Season’s Record: Not Provided
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: Not Provided
District Finish: Not Provided
Top Athletes: Fr. Amanda Gartrell, So. Lynsy Snapp, Sr. Jillian Mack, Fr. Caroline Rao
Scouting Report: I feel like we will be very competitive with the top teams in the county. Amanda Gartrell is one the top junior golfers in the state with high level tournament experience. She has excelled in various junior tours and will take over the number one spot on our team. Lynsy Snapp is a returning starter from last year. As a sophomore, she also has high level tournament experience. She advanced as an individual to regionals last year.
School: Bartow
Coach: Jack Horne
Last Season’s Record: Not Provided
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: 3rd or 4th
District Finish: 3rdTop Athletes: Jr. Markie McCann, Sr. Jackie Caron, Sr. Nicole Radivilov, Fr. Kaitlyn Bosswell, Sr. Rachael
Scouting Report: My team this year will be very strong. They all have great athletic ability and have potential I think to go to state. We just have to work as a team and focus on the main goal. As their new head coach I have to say I can upon an amazing team and glad I can be part of their season and hopefully history for girl’s golf at Bartow High School.
School: Fort Meade Middle Senior
Coach: Bill Whitener
Last Season’s Record: 0-7
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: Not Provided
District Finish: Not Provided
Top Athletes: Jr. Taylor Mullins, Sr. Amelia Force
Scouting Report: With senior Amelia Force joining the team this year along with 8th grader Andrew Lovett, we hope to see some leadership from Amelia.
School: Winter Haven
Coach: Robin Elkins
Last Season’s Record: 12-2
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: Sr. Sam Alivio advanced
District Finish: 4th
Top Athletes: Fr. Athena Yang, Sr. Courtney Scott, Sr. Paige Holden, Jr. Amani Flood
Scouting Report: We were competitive last year, however this should be our breakout year. Adding Athena Yang is a huge boost for our team. The team has worked hard in the offseason and we’re ready for the season to begin.
School: Tenoroc
Coach: Bryan Tarr
Last Season’s Record: Not Provided
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: Not Provided
District Finish: Not Provided
Top Athletes: Sr. Kayla Connors, Jr. Ashley Youngblood, Sr. Tianna Smith, Sr, Danielle Vallandingham
Scouting Report: I lost 2 players from my last year team due to one of them graduating and another to being too old. I have 2 new players that are both seniors but have never played golf before. I do not expect the team as a whole to do very well due to having many beginners on the team but I do expect Kayla Connors to go back to states and do better than last year.
School: Auburndale
Coach: Chris Brauckmuller
Last Season’s Record: Not Provided
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: Not Provided
District Finish: Not Provided
Top Athletes: Fr. Shelby Braukmuller, So. Ryleigh Dwyer, So. Lauren Jenkins, Fr. Jordan Sanchez, Fr. Taylor Thigpen, Sr. Mallory Biggar, Fr. Megan Robinson
Scouting Report: This is Auburndale’s first full girl’s golf team with 7 rostered players. Four of these players have played competitively and they will learn how to play as a team and encourage each other at a high level. Shelby Brauckmiller is the team’s standout with a 2nd place last year and two 3rd place finishes in middle school county tournaments. First year coach Brauckmuller is looking forward to teaching his players the fundamentals of the game including etiquette and rules that all golfers need to follow.
School: Frostproof
Coach: Simone Aldrich
Last Season’s Record: 13-0
State Finish: Not Provided
Regional Finish: 5th
District Finish: District 1A-13 Golf Champions 2010 & 2011
Top Athletes: Fr. Madison Aldrich, Sr. Amber Riedel, Sr. Raegan Miller, Sr, Allyssia Raines, Sr. Samantha Franks, Fr. Alissa Riedel
Scouting Report: Frostproof has a great deal of potential this year with 5 experienced seniors, two strong freshmen, and a very capable 8th grader. The team has been dedicated to practicing and excited about their upcoming season. Their goal is to win Districts for the third year in a row and advance further in the region.
