In any other year perhaps the Neuqua Valley girls golf team would look at this weekend’s state tournament from a different vantage.
That’s to say the Wildcats, with their stable of strong golfers who have, for the most part, hammered their opponents, could easily be the team to beat at Illinois State University’s course.
But this is 2001, the year of New Trier. Instead of being the ones looking down at the competition, Neuqua Valley is one of 15 other teams who figure to be straining to catch a glimpse of New Trier’s white-hot trail.
If there is a team that can deny New Trier its second consecutive state championship, it’s Neuqua Valley. The Wildcats, who returned five of their top six players from last year’s second-place team, are hitting their peak heading into this year’s tournament, which begins Friday and concludes Saturday.
They shot a collective 334 to win their regional by 34 strokes last week and captured the Naperville Central sectional with a 333 Tuesday.
“I think this team can win state,” said Neuqua Valley coach John Keller, whose team has gone undefeated in dual meets. “But, yeah, I concede that we can go Downstate and play really well and not win. There’s no defense in golf.
“It is frustrating knowing there’s such a good team out there. But we’re not conceding the state trophy yet.”
Led by seniors Carissa Werlinger, Courtney Gagnon, Lauren Woiteshek and Laura Laurent, Keller said his team has improved its 18-hole score by an average 15 to 20 strokes. Only one problem: New Trier beat Neuqua Valley at state by 43 strokes last year. And the way the Trevians have been playing this season, they appear better than ever.
New Trier has posted very low team scores the last three weeks, including a 308 in its regional victory. The Trevians shot their highest team score over the last three weeks, 316, at the New Trier sectional Tuesday and still defeated second-place finisher Rockford Boylan by 49 strokes.
“This is one of those magical things right now–something I may not ever see again,” New Trier coach Gary Groh said.
The Trevians have five of their top six players back from last year’s team that carded a 653 and missed breaking the state tournament record by two strokes.
That record is more than attainable this year, thanks to the outstanding play of seniors Clare Lucey, Jenny Gelber and Kelsey Lutz, who are all viable contenders for the individual championship.
There isn’t a hotter golfer around than Lucey. In the last three weeks she not only has won four tournaments, but has also broken three course or event records. She shot a one-under-par 71 to win sectional medalist honors Tuesday and carded an even-par 72 to win her regional. Lutz, who placed seventh at state last year, and Gelber, tied for second at sectionals with an 80.
“My game feels so good right now,” Lucey said. “I have a lot of confidence.”
Lucey, however, isn’t the only golfer heading into state with momentum.
Hoffman Estates’ Noriko Nakazaki, a junior making her third state appearance, won her regional and sectional. Nakazaki shot a 73 to win the Andrew sectional Tuesday.
