The top three golfers return from a team that placed sixth at the Class 3A State Meet and won a Tri-Rivers East crown last spring.
The big question mark for 2024 is that fourth score. Who will provide it?
“We’re going to be looking for a fourth score,” Coach Andy Kahl said. “We’ve got a couple of freshmen that have been around golf, but have no meet experience.”
Kahl didn’t want to name names this early in the process.
Some names we do know include senior Kaylie Kelchen, who placed fourth at the Class 3A state meet last year and was the Tri-Rivers East medalist. Junior Eryn Jackson was the Tri-Rivers East runner-up medalist, and senior Brooke Ellyson was TRC East all-conference.
“We return a strong nucleus with a lot of experience,” Kahl said.
It was a season to celebrate, with a trip to state and a conference title. Now, the Lions want to repeat.
“Absolutely,” Kahl said. “Kaylie is by far one of the best golfers in the state, and it is huge to have one of those players on your team.
“Expectations are high. We’re probably considered the Tri-Rivers East favorites.”
The only bad news is freshman Morgan Sauser, who might have provided that fourth score, is out following ACL surgery from basketball.
“We have a couple sophomore that played JV quite a bit, and are developing them,” Kahl said. “The weather has not been the best, but we’ve eased into the season with a lot of range sessions. It is really too early to tell.”
LIONS GIRLS’ GOLF
Coach – Andy Kahl (third season)
2023 finish – Sixth place at State Meet, first place Tri-Rivers East Meet
Returning letterwinners (3) – Kaylie Kelchen, sr.; Brooke Ellyson, sr.; Eryn Jackson, jr.