Top-Notch Talent Expected To Keep Competition Up To Par

GSL golf

Although Greater Spokane League golfers may be among the strongest high school players in Washington, the league can send only eight boys and eight girls to state from its post-season tournament.

So what does that mean for Ferris, Lewis and Clark, and Gonzaga Prep, along with perennial powers Mead and CV, which all boast a host of state-caliber players?

“Even though we’ve got all those great kids coming back, they’re going to have to play their best golf of the season at districts,” Ferris coach Dan Niksich says. “It’s going to be tough.”

Both the boys and girls teams from Ferris dominated the GSL a year ago, with the boys winning the league and the girls finishing second on a technicality. An incorrectly-scored card resulted in the Saxons’ second league loss, and Mead took the title.

Seniors Hillary Prugh and Laura Hicks, along with junior Bridget Johnson, return to the team.

Freshmen Jaime Seefried, Kate Parks and Jenny Benzel join junior Leah Bodker in the hunt for the last two Saxon varsity spots.

After winning the Clarkston Invitational two weeks ago, the top Ferris girls are shooting consistently in the high 70s or low 80s. It’s reminiscent of last year, when Niksich’s charges were second in the state tournament.

“I have eight girls who can play varsity golf,” Niksich says. “But once again, we have a very strong league.”

The Saxon boys finished second in Clarkston. Senior brothers Alex and Zack Cacieres return after a trip to state last year.

Michael Hastings qualified for state last year as just a freshman, and fellow sophomore Reid Hatley is also shooting in the 70s.

Freshman Corey Prugh likely will be in the Ferris No. 5 spot, while four other players - seniors Mike Ross, Sean Vanos and Richard Cassens, and freshman Ryan Camp - are battling for that last varsity spot.

Lewis and Clark finished in the middle of the pack last year with its girls and boys but returns enough players from both teams to pose a serious threat to traditional contenders.

LC coach Bob Lobdell outdoes his colleagues by saying the GSL may be the best league in not just Washington but the entire Pacific Northwest. Don’t expect that to change this year, he says.

“It’s going to be a great league, but I expect us to be in the top four,” Lobdell says. “We’re going to be a lot better this year.”

Junior Tricia Bassett is back with the girls, along with classmates Erin Naipo and Sally Stocker. Kelli Reynolds, just a sophomore, should break the team’s top four.

Four LC boys are already approaching scores in the 70s. They include juniors Jeff Wilson, Peter Denton and Mike McCurdy, and sophomore Jeremy Kuhlmann.

“It’s amazing what a year of maturity will do for the kids,” Lobdell says. “I’m really excited. The kids have improved so much.”

The remaining two spots on the LC boys and girls teams - six compete in GSL varsity tournaments will be nailed down before the Tigers’ first match on April 14 at Wandermere.

Gonzaga Prep has four boys who can play with anybody in the league, as well as depth in its girls team, says coach Phil Kuder.

Three seniors lead the G-Prep boys, including the South Hill’s Matt Brajcich, North Sider Mike Ray and the Valley’s Joe Jordan. South Siders Mark Van Gemert, a junior, and Adrian Herdner, a sophomore, are joined by freshman newcomer Dan Potter, a Coeur d’Alene product.

“I think our seniors have really improved and, with the addition of Potter, we should be better,” Kuder says.

The G-Prep girls are led by senior Jennifer Murphy, a South Hill resident who qualified for state a year ago. Other seniors on the team include South Sider Lisa Zimmer, Coeur d’Alene’s Heather Wallace and North Sider Stephanie Warn.

“I’m not sure if (our girls team) could go head to head with Ferris or Mead, but we shouldn’t do worse than third,” says Kuder. “Then again, we could surprise someone.”

South Hill junior Emily Brajcich, Coeur d’Alene junior Esme Carson and South Sider Melissa Murphy round out a Bullpup team that finished fourth at the Clarkston Invitational two weeks ago - the same result as the boys.

Both open their seasons April 15 at Liberty Lake against Central Valley and North Central.