By Eric Eaton
Hoosier Crossroads Conference Content Coordinator
2008 conference and season outlook: Hamilton Southeastern returns four starters from last year’s conference and state runner-up team and will start the season as the top-ranked team in the state. However, look for both #7 Avon and #6 Noblesville to challenge HSE at both the conference and state tournaments this season.
Avon, which won last year’s conference crown and missed out on qualifying for day two of the state finals by one stroke, returns its top three scorers from a year ago. Meanwhile, Noblesville which finished third at the conference and a solid fourth at state also returns three starters.
If you’re looking for a dark horse form the conference that could possibly make some noise both within the conference and statewide, then you might take a look at Fishers. The Tigers finished fourth at the conference tourney last season and return all five starters.
The 2008 HCC Tourney is scheduled to be played on September 8 at 10:00 A.M. at Bear Slide in Cicero.
Here’s a capsule preview at all ten conference teams (note: teams are listed in order of their finishing position in the 2007 conference tournament)
Avon
Coach: Steve Drabyn
2007 Record: 16-0 (1st at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 2nd at Danville Sectional, 3rd at Martinsville regional, and 10th at IHSAA State Finals
Returning Starters: 3
Projected Starting Lineup (9/18 hole scoring averages are listed in parentheses):
Breanna Patz -12 (38.33/78.16), T17 at 2007 state tournament
Mackenzie Smith-11 (41.22/80.75)
Becky Roberts-12 (43.55/85.75)
Taylore Floreancig-11 (48.91/89.55)
Hannah Bailey-10 (48.82/89.75)
2008 Outlook: “We were ranked as high as 3rd in the state and finished 10th at the state meet. Our goals are to finish much higher at the state meet. We have been to the state meet for the last 3 years in a row and want to improve on our placing.” – Avon coach Steve Drabyn
Schedule: Click here to view the Orioles 2008 schedule
Hamilton Southeastern
Coach: Steve Guenin
2007 Record: 12-0 (2nd at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 2nd at Anderson Highland Sectional, 3rd at New Castle Regional, and 2nd at IHSAA State Finals
Returning Starters: 4
Key Graduation Loss: Jessica Pigati (T-6 at 2007 State Finals)
Projected Starting Lineup (9/18 hole scoring averages are listed in parentheses):
Autumn Duke-12 (39/78), T17 at 2007 State Finals
Christina Beyerl-12 (38/80)
Jennifer Blanchard-12 (39/87)
Kelsey Smith-11 (42/93)
The fifth player is not yet determined
2008 Outlook: “We have several experienced girls returning who have been working hard all summer. We have high expectations for this season.” – Hamilton Southeastern coach Steve Guenin
Schedule: Click here to view the Royals 2008 schedule
Noblesville
Coach: Michael Abbott
2007 Record: 15-3 (3rd at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 1st at Anderson Highland Sectional, 1st at New Castle Regional, 4th at IHSAA State Finals
Returning Starters: 3
Key Graduation Loss: Abby Cotter (T12 at 2007 State Finals)
Projected Starting Lineup:
Emily Podzielinski-12
Meghan Potee-11 (T27 at 2007 State Finals)
Vanessa Hanlin-11
The fourth and fifth golfers are not yet determined
2008 Outlook: “This year’s expectations remain the same as they have in the past. The kids will work hard, play hard, and do both with class. If they putt well, then they will play well.” – Noblesville coach Michael Abbott
Schedule: Click here to view the Millers 2008 schedule
Fishers
Coach: Doug Young
2007 Record: 9-6 (4th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 3rd at Anderson Highland Sectional, 4th at New Castle Regional
Returning Starters: 5
Projected Starting Lineup (9/18 hole scoring averages are listed in parentheses):
Peyton Allen-11 (41.3/88.2)
Jessica Thomas-12 (43.7/90.8)
Lauren Nikirk-12 (46.2/91.5)
Kelli Witt-10 (46.7/92.5)
Molly Witt-10 (46.4/99.3)
2008 Outlook: “We have very high expectations for the upcoming season. We have made significant improvements each season and I’m positive that trend will continue this summer. The girls have worked extremely hard in the offseason on conditioning and fundamentals and I think that is going to pay huge dividends for us this season. Our team goal this season is to make it to the state finals.” – Fishers coach Doug Young
Schedule: Click here to view the Tigers 2008 schedule
Zionsville
Coach: Jeff Anderson
2007 Record: 6-8 (5th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 2nd at Crawfordsville Sectional, 7th at Lafayette Jefferson Regional
Returning Starters: 3
Projected Starting Lineup:
Emily Dixon-12
Jordin Westbrook-12
Amanda Gardner-11
Charity Marsh-10
Monica Park-10
2008 Outlook: “Our team has only one player (Emily Dixon) with any significant varsity experience. The other projected starters have played in a couple of varsity matches, but rotated at the JV level pretty frequently. All of our players are very capable golfers with the ability to shoot great numbers at any time. We will be led by Emily Dixon, who I expect great things from this year, and our season will depend on how those other players step up their games and perform.” – Zionsville coach Jeff Anderson
Schedule: Click here to view the Eagles 2008 schedule
Westfield
Coach: Rob Patterson
2007 Record: Not available (6th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 4th at Crawfordsville Sectional
Returning Starters: 4
Projected Starting Lineup:
Nicole Kuznia-12
Aubrey Lloyd-10
Haley Wisely-11
Shelby Cornett-12
Avery O’brien-12
2008 Outlook: “We look to continue on the success we had last season and advance to regionals’ as a team.” – Westfield coach Rob Patterson
Schedule: Click here to view the Shamrocks 2008 schedule
Brownsburg
Coach: Jennifer Whitmore
2007 Record: 7-6 (7th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 3rd at Danville Sectional, 8th at Martinsville Regional
Returning Starters: 4
Projected Starting Lineup:
Alicia King-12
Jennifer Goetz-12
Kristina Gleissner-12
Hannah Bolton-11
The fifth starter is not yet determined
2008 Outlook: “My expectations this year for my girls is that they learn, grow, and have fun playing golf. I want each of them to find the greatness that lies within them, and build the confidence in themselves to let it out. The girls have all set personal goals for themselves which I feel confident they will achieve. As for the team, we are working toward finishing strong in all of our events.” – Brownsburg coach Jennifer Whitmore
Schedule: Click here to view the Bulldogs 2008 schedule
Lafayette Jefferson
Coach: John Hatter
2007 Record: 10-4 (8th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 1st at Lafayette Jefferson Sectional, 8th at Lafayette Jefferson Regional
Returning Starters: 4
Projected Starting Lineup (9/18 hole scoring averages are listed in parentheses):
Leisha Beutler-11 (42.4/86.5)
Breanna Hatter-12 (46.3/94.3)
Regan Pittard-10 (48.9/96.0)
Claire Sunkel-12 (48.0/96.0)
The fifth starter has not yet been determined
2008 Outlook: “The Lafayette Jefferson Lady Bronchos will be returning 4 of their 5 top varsity players from the 2007 Sectional Championship team. These four returning players have worked extremely hard over the past winter and have played in numerous junior tournaments this summer to ready themselves for the 2008 fall season. I believe the 2008 Lady Bronchos should have a team average of 340 to 345 this fall, as compared to a team average of 368 in 2007.” – Lafayette Jefferson coach John Hatter
Schedule: Click here to view the Bronchos 2008 schedule
Harrison (West Lafayette)
Coach: John Skelton
2007 Record: 4-8 (9th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 3rd at Lafayette Jefferson Sectional, 9th at Lafayette Jefferson Regional
Returning Starters: 3
Projected Starting Lineup (9/18 hole scoring averages are listed in parentheses):
Michelle Boone-11 (40.2/78.7)
Madison Koehler-11 (52.5/106.1)
Olivia Ave-10 (52.0/106.6)
Amanda Kreger-11 (56.0/111.2)
Anna Foster-9 (NA)
2008 Outlook: “We are trying to find improvement from an experienced group to fill in the gaps left by the 2 senior graduations. Michelle Boone is maturing into very consistent mid 70’s player. We should continue our streak of advancing to the regional level of competition and hopefully Michelle will make her first state finals appearance.” – Harrison coach John Skelton
Schedule: Click here to view the Raiders 2008 schedule
McCutcheon
Coach: Alicia Conn
2007 Record: Not available (10th at HCC Tournament)
2007 State Tournament Results: 6th at Lafayette Jefferson Sectional
Returning Starters: 1
Projected Starting Lineup:
Alyssa Kyle-12
Meaghan Greene-12
Bethany Hainje-10
Courtney Neal-10
Hannah Walters-10
2008 Outlook: “The Mavs graduated five seniors in the spring of 2008. As a result, the 2008 season will be a rebuilding year for the Mavs golf program. There is a lot of young talent within the program that is being developed.” – McCutcheon coach Alicia Conn
Schedule: Click here to view the Mavericks 2008 schedule
Key matchups and Invitationals:
8/4: Harrison Invitational (Avon/Brownsburg/Harrison/Lafayette Jeff/McCutcheon)
8/5: Lafayette Jefferson Invitational (Avon/Brownsburg/Harrison/Lafayette Jeff/McCutcheon/Westfield/Zionsville)
8/5: Hamilton Southeastern Invitational (Fishers/HSE)
8/7: McCutcheon Invitational (Avon/Brownsburg/Harrison/Lafayette Jeff/McCutcheon)
8/11: Center Grove Invitational (Avon/HSE/Lafayette Jeff/Noblesville)
8/12: Avon Invitational (Avon/Brownsburg/Lafayette Jeff/Noblesville)
8/16: Western Invitational (Fishers/HSE/McCutcheon/Noblesville/Westfield
8/18: Fishers/North Central @ HSE
8/19: HSE/Zionsville @ Noblesville
8/30: Hall of Fame Invitational @ Richmond (Avon/Fishers/HSE/Lafayette Jeff
9/8 Hoosier Crossroads Conference Tournament @ Bear Slide
9/11: Zionsville/Mooresville @ Avon
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