Former assistant coach Kitty Delany takes over as coach for Joseph Konrad, who decided not to return. Delany inherits a trio of experienced starters in sophomore Stephanie Mroz, senior Frankie Bell and junior Amy Kucera, while the rest of the lineup will feature newcomers.
“Our three best scorers come back, but we are a young team,” Delany said. “They have worked really hard. Stephanie was our best scorer from Day 1 (last season). Frankie has worked on her game this summer and we are expecting a big senior year from her.”
After the Friars placed seventh in the Conant Sectional last season, few area players competed in more tournaments this summer than Kucera and Bell. Kucera teed up in at least 22 tournaments and earned Illinois Junior Golf Association tournament wins at Indian Lakes and at Golf Club of Illinois. Bell made 18 tournament appearances, tying for third in the IJGA Jarvis Memorial July 6 at Cress Creek.
Delany said freshman Alexis Attard will have an opportunity to make the team at tryouts. The other varsity candidates are senior Patricia Liston and sophomores Olivia Morrissey, Natalie Mortell and Nikki Caron.
Top player
Stephanie Mroz, sophomore: Mroz celebrated her second career hole-in-one June 7 when the Wood Dale native aced the 116-yard 16th at Deerfield during the second round of the IJGA Junior Players Series. She shot a 74 to finish third.
“It’s crazy,” Mroz said. “I don’t expect that to go in. You expect it to get close; that was my goal.”
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Her first hole-in-one came in the ESCC championships last fall at the 113-yard No. 13 at Village Greens.
Mroz, who placed 17th in her first state meet, competed in 18 IJGA or MAJGT tournaments this summer and won four IJGA tournaments. She won her last three meets at Indian Lakes, Glencoe and at Phillips Park in Aurora with a season-low 72. She also placed 14th at the Illinois Women’s Golf Association Junior Amateur Aug. 5 at the University of Illinois Orange Course.
Amanda Youman, senior, Oak Park-River Forest: The area’s top returning senior after a breakout performance at the Class AA state meet, Youman tied for 25th. She qualified by tying for third with a 75 at the Conant Sectional.
She currently ranks 12th in the IJGA player of the year standings, finishing second in four tournaments in July.
“She looks to finish top 10 (at state) this year,” OPRF coach Pete Hostrawser said. “Amanda will be a fourth-year varsity player with lots of experience on the course.”
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