Wakefield golf
Depth key for Wolverines on links
This doesn't sound right.
And maybe that's because it shouldn't.
But the Wakefield girls golf team lost former state champion Courtney McKim to graduation last spring, and the Lady Wolverines return an even stronger squad this fall.
Hard to imagine, but the numbers to back it up, said Wakefield coach Rick Riggleman.
"We have been been a strong team because — with Courtney — we had an automatic 2-under par every week," he explained. "But we didn't have a lot behind her. This year, I really think we have seven golfers who can play. Wakefield has never had depth like it has now."
With the departure of McKim — who begins her golf career at Oklahoma State University this month — the Lady Wolverines are seeking a new No. 1 player for the first time in four years.
And stepping up to fill the void is senior Katie Yelle, who played Robin to McKim's Batman for the past three seasons.
Yelle appears to be well-suited to handle the job, and has already gotten the seal of approval from McKim, who attended the first couple days of practice, and raved about the new No.1's improvement.
"When one of the best players in the state is telling me I got better, that was pretty nice to hear," Yelle said.
Riggleman's also excited to see Yelle get the opportunity to lead, and have her moment in the spotlight.
But the senior won't have to carry the workload alone, and newcomers Morgan Schultz and Stephanie Pribonic are expected to make a big impact.
According to Riggleman, Schultz, a freshman, regularly shoots in the high 70s and Pribonic, a sophomore who transferred from North Raleigh Christian Academy, hits in the 80s.
Behind Schultz and Pribonic, Katie Michalak returns and should provide a solid fourth option. Riggleman believes Michalak is just scratching at her potential on the links.
The trio of Dawn Wages, Carly Herndon and Rachel Yelle — Katie's younger sister — gives the Lady Wolverines its most formidable Top 7 in history.
It initially looked like that Wakefield — which played ninth at state last fall —would be hard-pressed to match last year's success, but with several newcomers onboard, the sky's the limit.
"I would be disappointed from what I have seen, if we don't qualify for regionals," Riggleman said. "Yes, Courtney's gone, but I think we can do well because of the depth we have. I wish we could count four or five scores because that would be fine with me."
(During Cap-7 Conference matches, five players from each school play, with three scores counted.)
It is an ironic twist that Wakefield now has a bevy of talented golfers because just a few seasons ago McKim wondered if she might have any teammates at all.
Cap-7 Conference foes who expected Wakefield to be left at the turn without McKim should be warned: the Lady Wolverines might have the right pieces to win its second league title in three years.
Wakefield kicks off its 2009 schedule at Holly Springs Monday, Aug. 24
