Firebirds, Lions to rely on senior leaders

The picture on Free State High golf coach Craig Hershiser’s desk reminds him of how deep his team was a year ago.

“I’m looking at it right now, and there are eight seniors in the picture,” Hershiser said. “Last year, we had 16 girls playing. This year, we’re a little slim.”

How slim? Hershiser has five players on the team, yet to hear him tell it, what they lack in depth they compensate for in work ethic.

“Our kids come to practice every day and work on getting better,” Hershiser. “There’s a genuine interest and desire to get better.”

Hershiser is counting on big things on more than just the scorecard from Ashley Robinson.

“We’re expecting all the things out of her that you expect out of a senior,” Hershiser said. “Some maturity, a little bit of leadership, direction for the younger players, giving them an example of how to play and how to handle yourself during a competition.”

Robinson and Katy Hoffman, the squad’s longest hitter off the tee, are expected to be Free State’s top players, according to Hershiser. Juniors Sally Konzem and Becca Weinaug and freshman Kelly Morris also have been working hard at tightening their games.

Senior Sydney Wilson again leads the way for the Lawrence High golf team. A top-three finisher in the state tournament each of the past two seasons, Wilson concentrated solely on golf last fall for the Lions. A basketball star as well, Wilson has decided to split her fall time between golf and volleyball, as she did two years ago.

Senior Jamie Shmalberg, who qualified to compete in the state tournament a year ago, also returns for Lawrence. Samantha Hays, Courtney Kincaid, Brittany Laughlin, and Kalli McClure also will be golfing for the Lions.

“Hopefully, we can continue what we established last year,” Lawrence coach Mike Lewis said. “We just missed qualifying for states and the possibility is definitely out there for us this year. It will take the girls staying dedicated and making it a priority.”

Should Wilson make getting a golf scholarship a priority, Lewis said she would have no shortage of suitors.

“She’s getting a number of looks from different schools,” Lewis said.

Adding yardage off the tee has been among the areas Wilson has been working to improve, according to Lewis.

“Still, one of the best aspects of her game is her short game,” Lewis said. “I’ve seen her get up and down a number of times when she’s been in tight situations. I know she’s been working at getting stronger and adding length.”