A study in contrasts

By BEN TOMCZAK

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- The golf teams at Cathedral High are a study in contrasts, to a point.

The girls must deal with the loss of four varsity players from last lear, including three of their top four shooters. They are led by a triumvirate of seniors.

The boys, on the other hand, are out just one player from last season, though he was key, and have one senior and three juniors leading the way.

What both teams have in common is a desire to get the season under way, and more importantly to get outside.

"Everything is indoors," girls coach Sue Prunty said, "but they've been working hard, they know positions are open on varsity. There's been a great deal of improvement on swings, hopefully it'll catch up once we get outside."

John Miheve, the boys coach couldn't agree more. "It does get a little long in the gym, but the kids are responding well." The boys got a break on April 3, when they took a trip to Chaska and were able to hit outside for the first time all year.

Both teams also have in common a goal of improvement from last year. The girls finished 7-7 in 2000, while the boys also finished right around .500.

For the girls, the key will be seeing improvement from the new members and leadership from the senior core.

After losing Suzy Beranek (No. 1 last year), Nicole Kelley (No. 2) and Casey Ruiz (No. 4) to graduation, along with Amanda Keute to scheduling conflicts, the Greyhounds must rely on the leadership of seniors Becky Klingler, Katie Prochniak and Marta Esser.

Both Klingler and Prochniak are four year varsity golfers. Prochniak averaged 56 strokes per nine holes and Klingler was right behind her with 56.7. Esser saw only limited varsity play last year.

Three freshmen will be vying for the remaining spots on the varsity ticket - Katie Brennan, Gusty Cordes and Tracy Haen. "These young girls have potential," Prunty commented.

Another upperclassmen, Irene Brennan, a junior, also hopes to lead the Greyhound charge.

"They're a good group, very enthusiastic." Prunty added. "I'd like to say we could match or improve upon last year, but a lack of experience could hurt us. But if we see improvement..."

The boys team must deal with just one loss, the transfer of junior Andy Cleland. Cleland was routinely No. 1, 2 or 3 for the Hounds last year.

Miheve feels confident about his top four, maybe even five, right now, with three probably vying for the No. 1 spot.

Senior Pat Johnson could be that top guy. Johnson has had multiple years of varsity experience and routinely shoots in the low 40s, but so does junior Luke Schmitz, who has been playing varsity since the ninth grade, when he reached sectionals. Also looking to make a run at No. 1 is sophomore Mike Vetter, who racked up quite a lot of varsity experience last year.

Juniors Brian Golden and Doug Gleisner finish off Miheve's prospective top five. Gleisner spent all last year on varsity and Golden played a little varsity last year, more towards the end of the season.

"It'll be interesting to see who the No.1 will be," Miheve said. "Last year we changed off a lot."

Someone Miheve is excited to see outside is a newcomer to the team - a sophomore with a "nice swing," Tim Smith.

Miheve's optimism about improvement depends on the consistency of his returners and the discovery of a sixth. "If the top five are solid and we can find a sixth who can help us, then we can win some meets."