Experience Returns To Help Ev, Wv Golfers
Frontier golf
A pair of state-experienced golfers, East Valley sophomore Brian Miacolo and West Valley junior Melanie Laroque, are also hoping to shoot their respective teams into Frontier League title contention.
East Valley’s veteran boys should have their best team in years, said coach Ken Stacy.
West Valley’s girls rather than the three-time runnerup Eagle boys are more likely to contend for a league title this year, said coaches Jan Carter and Tom Struthers.
First league matches begin after spring break.
EV boys pursue opportunity
For years East Valley’s boys golf team has struggled to gain respectability, a struggle Stacy is unaccustomed to.
When he coached boys baseball, the Knights were always a title contender.
This year his golf team may be, too.
“I’m a little more eager,” said Stacy. “I see an opportunity,” Besides Miacolo, senior Kris Florin, also has state potential.
They are among seven veterans and a couple newcomers who hope to place EV in the thick of a title challenge.
“It will be close between a lot of us,” said Stacy. “There are no slouches.”
Others back for the Knights are senior Kris Krustangel and junior Dustin Smock, along with sophomores Luke Damskov, Nate Grover and Bobby Lee.
New to the team are sophomore Adam Sitton and freshman Jared Taylor, who could break into the top six.
Freshman addition helps WV girls
The addition of a freshman golfer is reason that Carter says her team can compete.
Amy Wieber has posted scores nearly as good as Laroque’s in early sessions.
“They have been consistently in the high 80s and mid-to-low 90s,” said Carter. “I think we’ll be league contenders if Melanie and Amy continue to shoot well.”
Junior Sherise Roderick and freshman Katie Belderfield complete the top four.
Junior Karisa Rickard and freshman Audra Nicholson are other prospects.
Rebuilding year for Eagle boys
Second in the Frontier for three years, the Eagles must replace a pair of state-placing seniors.
“This year we’ll be lucky to be in the middle of the pack,” said Struthers.
Returned from last year are juniors Robert Murray, whose brother Shaun was a two-time state placer, J.R. Meyer, Brandon Frisch, Ryan Soss and sophomore Gene Hagreen.
Sophomore Eric Morasch will move to varsity.
“We’re hurting for certain this year,” said Struthers. “But since most are juniors, we’ll be pushing (to contend) again (next year).”
Two returnees pace EV girls
A pair of junior golfers return to lead East Valley’s girls varsity team.
No. 1 Tina Howald is currently sidelined with walking pneumonia. No. 2 is Katie Sulpizio.
“They are capable of shooting 100 which is right on the state qualifying bubble,” said coach Mike Malsam.
Six beginners are vying for the other two varsity spots. Included is former softball player Mary Hobbs, former track athlete Jocelyn Sly and Heather Perrenaud, all seniors.
Junior Jill Rose, sophomore Jessica Hotchkiss and freshman Erin Tilton round out the squad.
“If the others improve, we can win some matches,” said Malsam.
, DataTimes