DARLINGTON - A young and untested Darlington girls golf team with many new faces still expects to be in the mix for a Southwest Wisconsin Activities League championship this year.
The Redbirds have to fill the spots of four senior golfers from last year's team that finished second in a WIAA Division 2 regional and qualified for the sectional.
"The main goal for this season is to fill the roles of the four senior letterwinners who graduated," Darlington coach Molly Rice said. "Those are some big shoes to fill and that is what I'm hoping we can do as the season goes on."
The lone returning varsity player is Kennedy Wagner. The junior averaged a 53 in nine-hole matches last season. Wagner finished 19th in the regional and 34th at the sectional last year.
"I expect her to step into the leadership role this year, especially with how young and inexperienced we will be," Rice said. "She is a fantastic role model, and I look forward to seeing her step into this role. I also look forward to seeing her succeed with the help of her teammates."
Three other players who are being counted on this year for bigger roles are sophomore Maggie Nordquist, sophomore Allison Thompson and junior Chloe Muhlstein. The trio played on the junior varsity last year.
Other newcomers expected to contribute for the Redbirds are junior Holly Ray and sophomore Marissa Gould.
Rice said gaining experience is most important for the Redbirds.
"I want to see new golfers progress throughout the season," she said.
Rice said the biggest challenge is finding dedicated golfers who can fill the role of the four seniors from last year.
Cuba City-Southwestern is the defending SWAL champion. The Cubans and the Redbirds are expected to contend for a league championship.
"I believe the conference will be up for grabs again this year," Rice said. "I look forward to a competitive season."
The Redbirds have to fill the spots of four senior golfers from last year's team that finished second in a WIAA Division 2 regional and qualified for the sectional.
"The main goal for this season is to fill the roles of the four senior letterwinners who graduated," Darlington coach Molly Rice said. "Those are some big shoes to fill and that is what I'm hoping we can do as the season goes on."
The lone returning varsity player is Kennedy Wagner. The junior averaged a 53 in nine-hole matches last season. Wagner finished 19th in the regional and 34th at the sectional last year.
"I expect her to step into the leadership role this year, especially with how young and inexperienced we will be," Rice said. "She is a fantastic role model, and I look forward to seeing her step into this role. I also look forward to seeing her succeed with the help of her teammates."
Three other players who are being counted on this year for bigger roles are sophomore Maggie Nordquist, sophomore Allison Thompson and junior Chloe Muhlstein. The trio played on the junior varsity last year.
Other newcomers expected to contribute for the Redbirds are junior Holly Ray and sophomore Marissa Gould.
Rice said gaining experience is most important for the Redbirds.
"I want to see new golfers progress throughout the season," she said.
Rice said the biggest challenge is finding dedicated golfers who can fill the role of the four seniors from last year.
Cuba City-Southwestern is the defending SWAL champion. The Cubans and the Redbirds are expected to contend for a league championship.
"I believe the conference will be up for grabs again this year," Rice said. "I look forward to a competitive season."
