The girls golf team became back to back district champions after they won the title on Monday at Norfolk Country Club. They had a score of 335, and four out of the five girls placed in the top ten. Junior Addison Benge shot a 83 placing her fourth among the competitors. Sophomore Chloe DiPrima shot an 82 which made her place second. DiPrima explained what she thought about her overall performance at districts.
“I think that my performance wasn’t my best and I left some valuable strokes on the course,” DiPrima said. “But Norfolk isn’t my favorite course so it was a battle to stay focused and remember the task at hand and not let myself get distracted. I also think that I hit the ball very well and I let some things get in my head which should have never happened.”
Benge was a part of the team that won the title last year and is not new to the tournament. She was previously on the Gretna golf team and transferred. Last season she placed in the top five at Districts. She has put in a lot of work this season, and has been consistently improving. Benge shared what she thought about her overall performance and what aspects of her game contributed the most to her success at the tournament.
“I think I played pretty well considering the conditions and pressure applied on districts,” Benge said. “I think playing this course so many times and being comfortable definitely played a big role as well as being confident in my game.”
Head coach Jered Hellman has been coaching and preparing the girls for these last tournaments of the season. He expressed how he felt about the team’s performance and being back to back champions.
“To win back to back district titles is a huge accomplishment for our program,” Hellman said. “Not very long ago, our girls golf team was struggling for an identity, we were simply known by a couple super star players we have had in the past. Our program has a rich history, but our last and only State Title was in 1990. Three years ago I had the great opportunity to take over our program as the next head coach, and I have preached team first, hard work wins, playing for more than yourselves and our seven seniors that graduated last year left their mark, and these girls have taken their leadership, our roadmap for success and elevated our program to one of the best in the State. This is a true testament to our Girls, their hard work and dedication to their team, school and community.”
DiPrima is a vital player for the team. She is only a sophomore but has shown that she is capable of playing well under pressure. DiPrima shared what aspects of her game she thought contributed the most to her success.
“I think my ability to drive the ball far and putt well that day helped a ton,” DiPrima said. “If you get stuck in the trees it’s hard to get out so my driver was my friend for sure that day, and putting is so enjoyable to me so putting well means a good day.”
There are always many challenges that athletes face during tournaments that can shake them up. Benge explained if there were any challenges during the tournament and if so, how she overcame them.
“The wind started to pick up halfway through,” Benge said. “But just sticking to it and remembering everyone is dealing with it, so the best person that is able to navigate through it is who’s going to come out on top.”
It is not only an individual competition but you also compete for your team. Coach Hellman expressed what he believed were the key factors that contributed to the team’s success.
“Our three veterans, Martin, DiPrima and Benge gave us confidence going into districts,” Hellman said. “These girls won a district title last season and know what it takes and the pressure involved. I was confident that they would lead us on the course and battle to the last stroke, and they did just that. Sophia and Addie didn’t have the front nine score they were happy with and continued to battle and turned it around on the back nine which helped extend our lead. Our fourth spot Kendall dominated her group, and posted a score that helped secure our victory. To have a freshman step up and post a solid score in a district final is huge for the success of our team.”
Hellman also shared his thoughts about Junior Lily Gutta who played the fifth spot on the team and alternate senior Kate McAlpine.
“Lily Gutta played the 5th spot, didn’t have her best day but kept an amazing attitude, placed 13th and was the first one to congratulate her team after the victory,” Hellman said. “Lily’s impact on our golf team goes way beyond if her score is counted. Lily’s calmness, amazing attitude and willingness to do anything for her teammates pays huge dividends to our team. We were also blessed to have our alternate Kate McAlpine with us. Kate earned the right to attend, supported her teammates every step of the way and is a huge reason for our success as well.”
The final tournament of the season is the state championship that will be held at Grand Island on Monday and Tuesday. DiPrima shared how she will be preparing for the tournament.
“I’m preparing for state in many different ways, both mentally and physically,” DiPrima said. “I know I need to work on my wedges and sharpen those up so I can consistently hit more greens. Mentally I need to remember that I have all the shots and I can’t let myself get too overwhelmed because that never helps and only hurts.”
Benge also explained how she will prepare for state.
“I will be preparing by getting good sleep,” Benge said. “As well as practicing and just trusting myself and my teammates.”
Having your team beside you is a great help for an athlete. Hellman shared how important team chemistry and support is among the players to achieve success.
“In my three years at the Helm for the golf program, my five years as an assistant for the boys golf team and my 17 years with the basketball program before that has taught me a lot about this topic,” Hellman said. “The best teams, year in and year out, the ones that are remembered, celebrated for their achievements are always the ones with the best team chemistry. Golf is no different, and in fact I have found when you can create a ‘family’ environment, where athletes can be vulnerable, not afraid to fail and trust that ‘we’ is greater than ‘me’, your success is directly elevated.”
He also shared how this chemistry and bond will help at the state tournament.
“These girls trust one another, spend lots of time together and love each other and their coaches,” Hellman said. “That pays huge dividends mentally during their round. Their teammates are the only ones that feel the same pressures they do, and also know when they are struggling one of their amazing teammates is picking them up with a great par or a birdie. Districts proved that Westside girls golf is here to stay, we can make a run at a state title, and this group of girls is one that shines on and off the course.”
