Golf teams start season Friday in Ronan

Polson girls look to defend title

The Polson golf teams both have senior voids to fill, as the girls look to defend their state title while the boys will be led by returning varsity players Shawn and Harry Medland, but both teams have some good younger talent looking to step up.

The girls team features a number of young women looking to fill the shoes of the five seniors from last year's state champion team, led by Kristine Samsel, Jen Orchard, Sami Beaver, Whitney Pitts and Stephanie Rowold, but coach Bill Owen likes what he sees for the upcoming season.

"We graduate all of them, but I like the way the girls are performing in practice. They are working hard. I've emphasized that practice isn't all fun and games, and those girls have really responded," Owen said. "What we started three years ago has taken hold with good attitudes and expectations."

Julia DiGiallonardo looks to be the team's ace this year, and led the team with an 86 at an informal match-up against Ronan Tuesday.

"She put a lot of work in in the off-season, and I was pretty impressed [with Tuesday's play] with her as a sophomore," Owen said.

The team's five spots haven't been fully decided yet, but Owen said he's got some good golfers to choose from.

Senior Colleen DeVoe has also shown good progress, he said, and had JV experience last year.

"She's really shown she's got a purpose and wants to do something this year," he said.

Sophomores Cali Hislop, Lacey Kvam and Kaitlin Mahoney are all showing good potential, too, and bring some experience to the team, Owen noted.

Frosh Talia Arlint has been participating in clinics and playing in competitions this summer, and should have a good year, Owen said.

"We're pretty excited about her. She plays a lot and is very good," Owen said.

On the boys side, the team lost Jason Newton, Chris Hanson and Kellan Mills to graduation, but the Medlands will provide the leadership the team needs this year. Both of them got experience at the state tourney last year.

Harry Medland and Jake Grebetz are the team's two seniors, and juniors Aaron Clairmont and Jon Schumaker will be fighting for spots, too.

Clairmont played as a freshman and has "lots of potential," Owen said, while he also expects good things from junior Ed Truman, who had JV experience last year.

Sophomore Tyler Engebretsen has some varsity experience, and has great potential, too, Owen noted.

Shawn Medland, Truman and Engebretsen shot a 79, 80 and 81, respectively, at the Ronan match-up Tuesday, which Owen said was very encouraging.

The boys will have to contend with yet another Whitefish boys squad that only lost two players from their dominating state-winning team last year.

"Whitefish [boys] will be the team to beat. They have at least three of those guys returning, and their JV team was better than most varsity teams last year," Owen said.

Owen said predictions about the girls conference are too soon to make, but that the Whitefish and Ronan squads both have great potential.

Ronan girls have returning talent

By John Zsiray

Leader Staff

The Ronan High School golf team lost some key players on the boys team, but will again be led by William Foust, while the girls squad features some great returning players and should be a team to watch in the conference.

"We are going to need to focus on our short game and go through some putting exercises," head coach Rupe Paulson said of the boys team, after Ronan hosted Polson for an informal scrimmage Tuesday at Mission Mountain Country Club.

This wasn't just the first scrimmage of the season for the kids. Paulson took over head coaching duties for the team this year after former coach Pat Williams retired last year. Paulson has worked at the Mission Mountain Golf Course for eight years.

"Most of these kids I have known since they were little tykes. It is exciting to get out here and help coach them," said Paulson.

With Ronan's number one ace William Foust competing in the American Junior Golf Association Tournament in San Francisco this week he will be absent from the first official match on Friday. Paulson believes that the boys will fare well this season and finish around the middle of the pack, but these first tournaments will show how well they will stack up against other schools.

"The boys this year are inexperienced but we will work with that and be OK," said Paulson. "We lost two kids to transfers since last year."

The girls team this year will consist of many experienced players that should do well, Paulson said. Shayla Couture, Lindsey Cornelius, Brooke Wagner and Jordan Strozzi are all back this year, after getting good solid playing time last year at the varsity level and at the state tourney.

"These girls will be tough this year. We have a lot of strong girls and they will show well for Ronan," said Paulson.

The Ronan boys and girls will be competing on Friday against nine other teams from the area in the first official tournament of the season. There will be more than 100 students golfing at Friday's outing at the Mission Mountain Country Club, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.