Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Starts Spring Season at Central District Classic
2/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Feb. 16, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Youthful optimism continues to characterize a Northwestern women's golf team that has added a trio of talented freshmen to an already underclassmen-dominant team.
"The depth of our team is in our youth," head coach Chris Regenberg says. "There is a good state of unrest in that they view this program as a top-20-ranked program. Even though we aren't quite there yet, it's a healthy energy and self-image to build on."
But if the Wildcats want to turn their optimistic goals of national success into reality, they will need to rely on senior experience over young talent. Northwestern will call upon seniors Ina Kim and Mary Ellen Grzebien, each with NCAA Regional experience, to lead Northwestern into postseason action.
Last postseason Kim evolved from a talented underclassman into a bona fide team leader. She saved her best for last, shooting a 16-over 229 to finish in 17th place at the NCAA Regional Championships. It was Kim's best finish of 2003-04, coming on the season's biggest stage. Kim's performance propelled the team to an 11th-place finish, just eight strokes shy from advancing to the NCAA Championships.
This season, the Wildcats look to build off last year and earn a berth on the national stage. Kim, the senior captain, is poised to help them do just that. Already having proven herself a tough postseason competitor, Kim is coming off a fall season that saw her post a 74.92 stroke average -- a mark good enough to shatter NU's single-season stroke record.
"Ina has really stepped up into a leadership position this year with the team," Regenberg says. "With three top-20 finishes and a fourth-place performance at the Mercedes-Benz, Ina is confident and looking for a win this spring. She is in position to be an All-Big Ten player."
Regenberg says Kim's strength is her consistent shot making. Consistency is a word Regenberg also uses to describe Grzebien, the second half of the senior duo. Grzebien is a seasoned competitor for the 'Cats, finishing 26th at the Big Ten Championships as a sophomore and placing a career-best sixth-place at the Badger Invitational last year. Her absence from the team was felt this fall as the two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree prepared for law school. But Grzebien is set to rejoin the team this spring just in time for the Big Ten season.
"The senior leadership plays a key role for us this year," Regenberg says. "Ina and Mary Ellen are great communicators of the team's needs. They know how important it is to have everyone focused and organized, both on and off the course."
Kim paced the Wildcats for much of the fall season. But close by on the leader boards sat another NU golfer with the same last name. Sophomore Alice Kim already has one top-10 finish last fall, at the Mary Fossum Invitational, after being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season. She leads a long list of proven NU underclassmen expected to make an impact this spring.
"She has the talent and experience to go head to head with the best collegiate players," Regenberg says. "There's no question she can be one of the best players in the Big Ten."
Alice Kim captured Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors thanks to performances like a second-place finish at the Purdue Lady Boilermaker last spring. But ahead of both Kims in Northwestern's final 2003-04 statistics was sophomore Kelly Robb. In her freshman season, Robb finished 10 events with a team-best 77.53 stroke average, which included a ninth-place showing at the competitive Mercedes-Benz Championships.
Robb has yet to match her rookie season success after a slow fall season. But her coach says that doesn't mean she can't regain her form this spring.
"A switch in equipment and some fundamental refinements has Kelly eager for spring tournaments," Regenberg says. "We look to her work ethic and experience to help lead the team this spring."
Rounding out the talented sophomore class for the 'Cats is Heather Scholten. Somewhat overlooked by her two sophomore counterparts after their blistering freshman starts, Scholten has been called a key ingredient to NU's success this spring.
"Heather is a pivotal team player who can add tremendous depth to our squad this spring," Regenberg says. "She continues to improve her ball striking and her efforts should pay off with more travel this spring."
Only eight strokes kept the underdog NU out of the NCAA Championships last spring. This spring, the eight strokes weigh heavy on the returning Wildcats. After losing only one golfer to graduation, Northwestern now considers itself a contender for the NCAA Championships. The addition of three talented freshmen only strengthens its case.
Brittany Johnston and Katie Trachok already enter the spring season having played a demanding fall schedule. Johnston finished her fall season third in team scoring with a 77.92 average.
"Brittany is a spirited competitor who plays with grit and desire," Regenberg says.
Trachok finished right behind Johnston, fourth in scoring this fall with a 78.33 average. Regenberg says traveling to every event this fall allowed Trachok to gain experience in recovering from difficult course situations she will face this spring.
"Already a very straight ball striker, Katie is working on gaining versatility in her wedge game," Regenberg says. "I'm confident she will be a strong team contributor this spring."
Justina Yu rounds out the talented freshmen class. Her consistent play makes her a challenger for a travel squad position.
"Justina is a consistent player who will shoot lower scores as her length improves," says Regenberg.
All three freshmen give the Wildcats the necessary depth needed for a late postseason run says Regenberg.
"We see ourselves advancing to the NCAA final championships this spring. Regenberg says. "We have good depth with every player having the talent to shoot low scores. If we trust our talent and make good decisions on the golf course we will get there."
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Northwestern begins the spring season with its traditional February event -- the Central District Classic in Parrish, Fla.
The Wildcats, along with 14 other teams, will play 54 holes over a two-day period, with 36 holes scheduled on Monday, Feb. 21.
Northwestern, which owns a No. 44 ranking in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin index, is competing against nine other schools who own a top-50 ranking. Ohio State, the three-time defending Big Ten champion, is ranked eighth nationally and is the highest ranked team competing in the Central District Classic. Other Big Ten entrants include Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State.
Also in the field is 14th-ranked LSU, the defending Central District champion, 20th-ranked Arkansas and 24th-ranked SMU.
Live stats and latest results are available for the tournament by linking to Central District Classic. Other tournament information can be found at Michigan State Spartans.
