Aug. 31, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Youth will be the driving force behind the 2004-05 Michigan State women's golf team. With the loss of three key seniors to graduation, the Spartans return nine golfers, including five letterwinners, while welcoming two new players to the squad. Five juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen will make-up this season's roster.
As they anticipate the beginning of play, MSU has a slightly different look this season than in past years. State does not have one senior on their roster. This fact will force many of the younger players to fill the leadership roles that were left behind with the departure of Allison Fouch, Sarah Martin and Ann Marie Kersten to graduation. However, Head Coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll does not foresee this challenge to be a problem for the young Spartans.
"I think that our goal is to understand that we are going to be a young team, but that doesn't mean that we won't be successful," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "With no seniors on the team this year, it's really leaving the door open for someone to emerge as a leader both on and off of the golf course. I have already identified several people that are candidates, and I know that one of those girls will step-up and fill that role."
Last year's three seniors acted as the foundation of the squad on many levels. Their leadership and experience were intangibles that helped MSU advance to the 2004 NCAA Championships. During their four years golfing for the Green and White, Michigan State won the 2001 Big Ten Championship and appeared at NCAA Regionals four times, as well as the NCAA Championships three times.
"Allison, Sarah and Ann Marie each brought something different to the program here at MSU," Slobodnik-Stoll remarked of her former players. "I think that they each left their mark and legacy during their years here. People come and go, but their influence will still be felt."
Their departure will force younger players to step-up and fill the void. Junior Dayna Burleigh and sophomore Heather Rose are the most experienced golfers entering the 2004-05 season. They will each face the challenge of leading this season's squad with the experience that they have gained in recent seasons.
Burleigh brings to the table the most collegiate golfing experience on the Spartans' roster. Having appeared in 22 total outings during her two seasons with MSU (11 outings last season, as well as 11 during her freshman campaign), Burleigh is the veteran of this year's team. During her freshman year, the Horsham, Pa., native led State with five top-20 finishes, earning her Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Her sophomore campaign was a successful one as well. She finished in the top-20 six different times and in the top-10 at three different events. Her highest finishes of the year were tying for eighth-place at consecutive events (Mary Fossum and Lady Northern Invitationals).
Rose will begin her sophomore season with the Green and White with two important qualities, youth and experience. She will be a positive force for Slobodnik-Stoll, to help lead the less experienced on the team and help them to adapt to the elements of college athletics, both athletically and academically. Having appeared in all 12 events last year, the Chillicothe, Ohio, native is familiar with the collegiate golf field. Rose closed out her freshman campaign with five top-20, three top-10 and one top-five finish. Her best outing was tying for fifth place at the Mary Fossum Invitational. She also shot the best 18-hole round for MSU all season, shooting a third-round 71 at the Lady Northern Invitational.
"I feel confident in both Dayna and Heather's abilities," Slobodnik-Stoll commented. "I think it is important for them to understand that they are going to have to step-up and be the number one and two players on this team. That is really their role now, and I know that they can do that. They are dedicated to this program and they know what they're going to have to do to be successful."
Though the squad is one of the youngest in years, the 2004-05 Michigan State women's golf team has the same clear mission as any other year, advance to the NCAA Championships and finish as one of the top-20 programs in the nation. It is a goal that is simple, yet very challenging to complete.
"Obviously being one of the top-20 teams in the country and challenging for the Big Ten Championship is our goal, every year, year-in and year-out," said Slobodnik-Stoll. "I feel confident in the players that we have on this team. They know what they need to do in each tournament to make sure that we qualify not only for regionals, but for nationals. That is our goal."
Alongside the experience of Burleigh and Rose, the Spartans will be guided by three other returning letterwinners -- junior Jennifer Johnson and sophomores Rachel Miekle and Mandi McConnell.
Johnson, who redshirted her freshman year, has competed in eight events for the Spartans throughout the past two seasons. In 2002-03, the Okemos, Mich., native played at three events, while last season she appeared in five. Her best finish was at the Mary Fossum Invitational, where she tied for ninth place.
McConnell competed in five events during her freshman campaign with the Spartans. The Grand Blanc, Mich., native had her best outing of the season at the Big Ten Championships, where she finished tied for 17th.
Miekle, a sophomore out of Fort Wayne, Ind., made her first collegiate appearance last year at the Mary Fossum Invitational. Miekle competed in four total events throughout the year, with her best finish coming at the Boilermaker Invitational, where she tied for sixth-place.
"My expectations for the three of those girls is for them to be challenging for a traveling spot," Slobodnik-Stoll said of her other three returning letterwinners. "Jen has experience. She has played at the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Regionals. Mandi understands and feels a lot more comfortable at college now, and I think that will help her step-up and perform like I know she can perform. And Rachel has been waiting in the wings for a couple years now and it is definitely her time."
Three juniors wrap up this year's Spartan upperclassmen. Kelly Collier, Christy Jonkhoff and Kelly Thesier will add depth to the squad. Collier played two seasons with the MSU field hockey team before deciding to hit the links for the Spartans. Jonkoff and Thieser have appeared in six events between the two players. Last season, both golfers played at one event each, appearing at the Mary Fossum Invitational.
Sophomore Amanda Wilson and red-shirt freshman Kristen Polanski are the final two returnees from last season's Spartan squad. Incoming freshman Sara Brown and Jordyn Wells round out the 2004-05 MSU roster.
Brown, a native of Tucson, Ariz., will be a welcome addition to the Spartan lineup, as well as Wells, a native of Bethel Park, Pa. Both players already have expectations for their play as they enter the MSU golf program. Head coach Slobodnik-Stoll is excited about what they each bring to the table.
"Sara is an awesome player," Slobodnik-Stoll remarked. "She has played at a very high level for the past couple years. She's independent and experienced. We are looking forward to having her as a Spartan and we think that she is going to be one of the key players this fall.
"Jordyn in my opinion has the maturity of an Emily Bastel (former Spartan standout golfer). She wants to be one of the best players that we have ever had here. Her goals are very high. She expects to come in right away and play for the team. She is willing to do what it takes to get there and I am proud to have her as a Spartan this year."
The youth and determination of this group will force players to compete harder to make the traveling roster. Competition will be fierce and that can only improve MSU's already visible talent as players battle each other for a spot on the prized travel roster.
"I think that each golfer is going to be hungry this season," Slobodnik-Stoll commented. "Everyone wants to be on the traveling team. The greatest thing about coaching golf is that the players shoot the numbers. It's not my selection about who travels and who doesn't. The players shoot the numbers."
As the Spartans each vie for a spot on the traveling squad, they will be faced with a challenging 2004-05 schedule. The Spartans play at nine regular season events before concluding the regular season at the Big Ten Championships.
"This year's schedule is very competitive," said Slobodnik-Stoll. "We have the opportunity to compete with some of the best teams and individuals in the country. We are a young team, but we just need to step up and compete and we will be fine."
MSU opens the season at the Lady Northern Invitational, hosted by the University of Michigan, Sept. 11-12. The following weekend, Sept. 18-19, the Spartans play host to the 22nd annual Mary Fossum Invitational, held at their home course of Forest Akers in East Lansing.
State will conclude its fall season during the month of October, competing at both the Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate (Oct. 8-10) and the Lady Paladin Invitational (Oct. 22-24).
MSU opens its spring season at the prestigious TRW Regional Challenge held in Los Angeles, Calif., Feb. 7-9. The appearance marks the first time that State has competed in the tournament since the 2001-02 season.
"I love the TRW Regional," Slobodnik-Stoll commented. "It is a lot of fun for us. There is a large group of Spartan supporters who come out to see us. The field is wonderful, as the top-15 teams in the country will compete. It will be a good experience for our young squad."
State is set to host the Central District Classic in Parrish, Fla., Feb. 21-22. The Spartans took second-place honors at the invitational last season. Next on tap is the Lady Gator Invitational, held March 4-6, followed by the Liz Murphey Invitational, March 25-27. The regular season concludes April 16-17 at the Lady Buckeye Invitational.
In-state rival Michigan will host the Big Ten Championship in Ann Arbor on April 22-24. The Spartans finished third last season on their way to NCAA Regionals. This year, NCAA Regionals will be held May 6-8 at three different sites, followed by the NCAA Championship, May 17-20, in Corvallis, Oregon.
The youth and determination of this Spartan women's golf squad is what this season will be built around. These two key characteristics are what will guide MSU as they work toward their ultimate goal of making the NCAA Championships.
