Women's Golf Hopes to Make History at Conference
The team, fresh off two tournament wins, could be the first MC women golfers to win conference.
The MC women’s golf team started their season back in mid-February. Ever since, they have been top performers in tournament play. The team has won two of the last four tournaments they attended, the Wolf Pack Invitational and the Emmanuel Spring Invite. The last two events saw the Lady Choctaws place twelfth and ninth, respectively.
Their next tournament, GSC women’s golf conference tournament, starts on Thursday. Ana Quintanilla, a sophomore member of the team, says the Lady Choctaws’ goal is to set school history as the first team to win conference and qualify for regionals.
The MC team is entering its fifth year, and it is clear the Choctaws are growing quickly as a program. The team has had multiple individual weekly award winners. Tina Honnef has won GSC Freshman of the Week twice this season. Ashlynd Madden has also won GSC Freshman of the Week twice this season, as well as Golfer of the Week.
The team is young, being comprised largely of freshmen; there are no upperclassmen members. Francisca Tallone, one of the two sophomores, attributes much of the team's success to the closeness of the team. “Our team has changed a lot this season,” Tallone said. “We had five new freshmen join, which brought a fresh energy and dynamic to the group. I think the support we give each other, both on and off the course, has played a big role in our success so far.”
“I believe a big part of our success this season has come from the strong team chemistry we’ve built,” Quintanilla said. “With four new players this year, it’s been a huge shift, but we’ve all connected really well and support each other constantly. That unity has made a big difference. Plus, our coach has played a crucial role; he's always there for us and pushes us to be our best every day.”
Sofia Mendez says the team is working hard to advance to post conference play. “We have a goal of going to regionals,” Mendez said. “We’re a few spots away, however, if we win the conference, we can do it. Conference is hard, and last year the team came in 5th, however, we’ve been preparing to see what we can do this year.”
Mendez believes the team's success has hinged on their coaching and hard work as a team. “I would contribute the team's success to our coach, for believing in us and bringing together this great group of girls,” Mendez said. “Also, I would contribute it to our work as a team and motivation to get better.”
Mendez and Tallone both emphasized their favorite part of the team was traveling together to compete. Mendez specifically mentioned the team’s trip to Miramichi. “It was all new to me, so I really just focused on my game, and at the end, we won as a team, and our former teammate Tina won,” Mendez said.
Tallone is excited for their next tournament: conference. “I’ve been working hard for it, and I’m hopeful that we’ll do well as a team,” Tallone said.
“I’m most looking forward to the conference tournament, Quintanilla said. “It’s the moment we’ve been preparing for all season, and I’m excited to give it everything I’ve got. I really want all the hard work and dedication we've put into training to show on the course. It's the perfect opportunity to compete at our highest level.”
The GSC tournament is April 17-18 in Tunica, Miss.
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