As the Riverside Brookfield High School girls golf team goes after a third straight Upstate Eight Conference championship, juniors Harper Jesswein and Fiona Lombardi are coming off busy summers that have brought improvements.
“I’ve played more rounds and have gotten more comfortable with my game,” Lombardi said.
“I feel like I’ve become a more confident and dependable player on the team. I want to continue improving my consistency, lower my scores, and become a better overall golfer. I want to make it to sectionals either as a team or individually.”
Now the Bulldogs hope to make the most of second chances.
They currently are 3-2-1 in conference duals heading into the UEC Meet Sept. 23 at St. Andrews in West Chicago. Before that, they still can avenge dual losses to Glenbard South and U46 co-op. This year, the teams play each other twice home and away.
Jesswein was medalist (42) in the 204-204 tie with West Aurora Sept. 9.
Lombardi medaled at the Willowbrook Invite Aug. 22. Sophomore Nicole Robertson, seniors Alexis Busse and Nikki Ritacca and juniors Lily Martin, Elly Dickerson and Ana Bacik also have been among low scorers in recent conference meets.
“I want to continue improving my scores, become more consistent, and play my best when it matters. My big goal for the season is to hopefully qualify for sectionals. I think as a team a big goal is the conference championship again,” Jesswein said.
“I feel like my role has grown because I have more experience and can be someone my teammates rely on. I want to lead by example and help the team keep competing at a high level.”
RBHS boys golf
The Bulldogs are in contention for a fifth consecutive conference title heading into the UEC Meet Monday at St. Andrews.
They moved to 4-0 in conference duals after beating West Chicago 167-177 Sept. 10.
Senior Oliver Fakhoury’s 3-over-par 38 earned medalist honors.
Senior returnee Zak Milchhoefer, juniors Michael Sloger and Paul Byrne and sophomores Leo Fakhoury and Bryce Sherman also have been top scorers in the league victories.
At the Payton Jones Invite Aug. 21, Oliver Fakhoury tied for third (par 72), followed by Milchhoefer (77) and Sherman and Leo Fakhoury (83s).
LTHS boys golf
The Lions’ depth has helped them heading into the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Sept. 22.
LTHS is 3-0 in Silver duals with Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West this week.
Sophomore Colin Biebel was medalist (par 36) in the 151-156 victory over Oak Park and River Forest Sept. 8.
Senior Charlie Forrest’s 1-under-par 71 at Fox Bend Sept. 5 shared medalist honors in a quad victory (293) by four strokes over Glenbard West.
Other recent top-four scorers have included seniors Grayson Lee, Ben Hare and Braxton Bonnevier and junior Henry Niemiec.
Lee had team bests of 73 at Saturday’s Providence Invite to tie for seventh and a 34 in the 137-145 loss to Naperville North Sept. 9.
LTHS girls golf
The Lions moved to 4-3 in WSC duals after beating Hinsdale South 155-180 Monday.
LTHS also has beaten Glenbard West on a fifth-score tiebreaker after each scored 162, Addison Trail and Willowbrook while losing to Hinsdale Central, York and Oak Park and River Forest.
The WSC Invite is Sept. 23.
Senior Mekayla Genovesi was medalist Monday (2-over-par 35). Senior Mikaela Jones, juniors Caroline McNaugton and Dagny Stromborg and sophomores Lucy Newton, Kate Carlstead and Molly Collins have been among their top-four scorers in recent meets. Jones’ 44 was the tiebreaker over Glenbard West.
“The most significant way that I have improved since last year is my mental strength,” said McNaughton, a member of last year’s sectional team qualifier.
“I have learned through some challenging and competitive matches to stay resilient and recover from a bad hole or a bad shot. We have a lot of newer golfers on the team, and I want to be a role model for them, trying to maintain a good attitude on and off the course.”
On Thursday at Silver Lake, the Lions lost their dual to Hinsdale Central 147-167 while beating Sandburg (202). Genovesi and McNaughton shot 38s.
The Lions return to Silver Lake Oct. 5 for the 2A Sandburg Sectional if they can advance out of their regional.
“I was proud of our performance (Thursday). We played a strong opponent on a course we will hopefully revisit,” McNaughton said.
