Golf, not football, traditionally kicks off a new high school sports season. And the Tigers and Falcons’ boys and girls’ golf teams have already started their respective 2011 campaigns.
Here’s a look at each team and who their key players will be this season.
Wheaton North boys
Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
There is, of course, no such thing as a dogleg “up” in golf, but things are looking up for coach Mike Pribaz and the Falcons this season.
“I really think we’ve made a big jump from last year,” said Pribaz, now in his fourth year. “I think the senior class has shown improvement, and the type of guys we have as seniors, combined with young guys on varsity, our goal and expectations are to go and compete for a DVC title. That’s in our sites and it hasn’t been lately.”
Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Sam Otto—the son of Chicago Cubs part-time announcer Dave Otto who was a sectional qualifier as a junior—returns to lead the team. He is joined by seniors Justin Harrington and Eric Altimari, a third-year varsity performer. Both Harrington and Altimari earned praise from Pribaz for their work this summer.
“He’s (Harrington) improved over the summer and is a kid that we will rely on,” Pribaz said. “Eric has improved a lot over summer too, and we’ll need him to show up every day and give us a good score.”
Pribaz expects immediate help from freshman Michael Suazo, whom he projects will be the Falcons’ No. 2 golfer.
“He’s going to be right up there as a top two kid,” Pribaz said. “He’s played a bunch of local and national tournaments, and he’s going to be a big help to us.”
The coach said he’s excited about what the Falcons can achieve this season and during the next few seasons.
“These kids have gotten better,” he said “We’re expecting good things this year and into next couple of years. We’re patient. It could be a process, but there’s no reason it can’t start this year and that they can’t do it.”
Wheaton North girls
The Falcons and coach Karen Calabrese welcome back two of their top golfers from last season, Hillary Barry and Brittany Pfaff.
Pfaff, a 2010 fall DuPage Valley all-Academic selection, likely will be the Falcons’ No. 1 golfer. The junior has been busy playing in Illinois Junior Golf Association (ISGA) events over the summer in the 16- to-18-year-old division.
Barry, a senior, advanced to sectional competition last fall. She combines with Pfaff to give Wheaton North a solid one-two punch.
Two golfers whom Calabrese considers to be up-and-coming are senior Allee Schuzer and sophomore Caitlin Berry. Kelsey Lewandowski (senior) and Laura Bucci (junior) also will make contributions this season.
We definitely won’t be a powerhouse this year, but we should be competitive,” Calabrese said. “I don’t necessarily have a standout that’s going to post a really low number, but I should be able to get four good scores. We just look to get better every week and finish strong.”
Wheaton Warrenville South boys
Tee-k Kelly, the Tigers’ No. 1 golfer, advanced to the Class 3A state tourney for the second straight year last October, finishing in a tie for 31st. He also was a regional champion, and tied for second individually at the Naperville Central sectional, considered to be one of the toughest sectionals in the state.
Since then, Kelly has taken his game to new heights.
Kelly, according to WWS coach Jimmy Selleck, “had a phenomenal summer.” He played in four events on the American Junior Golf Association tour—the highest ranking tour in the country—and earned top-100 honors. During a one-week stretch from July 11-18, Kelly tied for second at the Midwest Junior Players Championship and won that Columbus (Ohio) Junior presented by the Memorial Tournament.
Kelly came through in the clutch at Columbus. He carded two birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to win by two strokes.
“We are very excited about Tee-k in his senior year,” Selleck said. “He’s a young man of outstanding character and integrity.”
Kelly is joined this season by classmates Nick Popejoy, Greg Grabarek and Theo Corry, along with juniors Peter Ericksen and Sam Fuller.
Selleck also will have a handful of underclassmen on the varsity—sophomores Colin McCaffrey and Christian Westergaard, and freshmen Will Kelly and Tommy Dale.
“We are an up-and-coming team,” Selleck said.
Wheaton Warrenville South girls
Coach Art Tang’s Tigers saw a string of consecutive team appearances at the Class AA state tournament (2008 and 2009) snapped last year. However, the defending DuPage Valley champions will field a competitive team once again with three returning all-DVC golfers.
Renee Solberg, a junior, was the Tigers’ lone state qualifier in 2010, placing 43rd overall and will be going for a third straight trip to state.
“We have a great core group returning from last year,” Tang said. “Renee is our leader on and off the course. She is a very hard worker with a very strong golf game.”
The Tigers also have a strong No. 2 player, senior Emily Johnson, who missed the state cut last year but is a two-time state qualifier and a three-time all-DVC pick.
Ayomide Coker, also a senior, is an all-conference selection and will complement Solberg and Johnson.
Tang’s lineup is bolstered by the addition of freshman Kelly Anderson, who has recorded solid performances in the 12- to 15-year old age group during Mid-American Junior Golf Tour play.
“With the addition of Kelly, our team is very strong,” Tang said. “I believe we have an outside chance to make it downstate as a team if we play up to our potential.”
