H-F May Test St. Charles' Title Bid

Four years ago, St. Charles hoped to put together a respectableteam. Now the Saints are taking aim at their first state title ingirls golf. Homewood-Flossmoor could challenge the Saints while ahost of others battle for third place.

1. St. Charles: The Saints have talent and depth. Returning isthe formidable one-two punch of seniors Megan Morgan (average round,79) and Ashley Webb (80). Senior Megan Leuzinger (86) and juniorJenny Dwyer (90) give the Saints stable scoring from the third andfourth spot. Sophomore Michelle Sweda is expected to contribute.

"Two years ago we wanted to get Downstate and last year we wantedto place," said St. Charles coach Rod Osborne, whose team finishedsecond to Regina in 1992. "Now we want to improve and move up onespot. The girls played a lot this summer and I can see the progressalready."

2. Homewood-Flossmoor: If there's a team that could beat St.Charles it's the Vikings. Seniors Libby Gilley (79) and KerrieMilligan (83) are the strength of the Vikings. For the Vikings towin state they will need a strong effort from junior Jenny Okleshenand senior Heather Aeschlman.

"Our goal is to qualify and win state," H-F coach Jan Noltingsaid. "The girls have been practicing with a higher sense ofpurpose, especially our seniors."

Gilley agrees.

"If we all play well, we have a chance to win state, it's areachable goal," Gilley said.

3. Waukegan: The Bulldogs return one of the top players in juniorTracy Barron (82). Junior Melissa Melius (89) and Amy Holm (98) willlend support.

"We have some good players," said Waukegan coach Bob Franz. "Howwe do will depend on how our younger kids progress."

4. Providence: Junior Pina Gentile (85) returns after qualifyingfor state last year. Gentile shot a personal best 8-over par 80 atCog Hill this summer. Senior Lisa Rouskey (85) hopes to go Downstatethis year and Christine Walczak (100) is back.

5. Fremd: Senior star Karen Karmazin (82) returns afterqualifying for state last year. Senior Stacy Kozlicki and sophomoreJamie Rogers lend support.

6. Glenbrook South: Senior Cathy Schmitt (86) is a statequalifier, sophomore Megan Roberts (91) returns and a host ofunderclassmen will vie for the third and fourth spots.

7. New Trier: The Trevians are led by juniors Lee Sullivan (88)and Rebecca Halpern (90). Seniors Anne-Marie Perlitz, Melissa Kenny,Susanne Gerghty, Alison Buckley Susan Gauger, Anne Hoos and ClaireKenneally. All shoot in the 90's.

"We have a good opportunity to get Downstate," New Trier coachGary Groh said. "Everyone is working hard. We have some girls whocan hit the ball really well, it's just a matter of getting someconsistency." 8. Barrington: Seniors Brenna Boncosky, Jody Field and freshman PamBuff shoot in the 90's. Junior Jenny Bullerdick can break 100.

"We're hoping to have a couple of girls qualify for state," saidBarrington coach Jody Schoeck.

9. Regina: Coach Vi Reego, who won eight state titles in 13years, is retired. Dave Nicholson has the task of rebuilding thePanthers. Junior Molly Cleland, sophomores Erin Lynch, MaureenCollins and freshman Alison Klinesh will give Nicholson a solid groupto work with.

"When you look at the banners (for state titles the school haswon) you kind of shake your head," Nicholson said. "We're a youngteam, but we have the potential to score real well."

10. Naperville North: Coach Ed Rosenthal hopes his young teamdevelops quickly. Senior Jillian Sitter (95), sophomore Kelly Clark(96) and freshman Jen Reitz (97) return. Junior Julie Fritz andfreshman Betsy Levstik show promise.

"We have some girls who have hit the ball really well, but wehave a young team and we're probably a year away," Rosenthal said."Hopefully, we can go Downstate."