Last year at the IHSA Class 2A St. Ignatius regional, the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls golf team edged out runner-up Fenwick by three strokes to win the team title.
This year, both the Huskies and Friars return several players and look poised to enjoy successful campaigns again.
OPRF
The Huskies are off to a solid start to this season. On Aug. 17, OPRF finished seventh at the Midlothian Challenge, hosted by Providence Catholic, with a score of 186. The event was shortened to nine holes due to excessive rainfall.
Sophomore Nadia Vattana (round of 40) and senior Isabel Stickney (43) gained medalist honors. They are two of five returnees from last season. Another returnee, senior Jane Sounders, made the West Suburban Silver all-conference team.
Newcomers to watch for the Huskies are junior Courtney Moore and senior Jenny Keane. Others on OPRF’s varsity are seniors Abby Dwyer, Ava Fischer, and Molly Medland; and sophomores Chaya Shah-Hempel and Lu Wojtowicz.
On Aug. 19, OPRF lost a highly competitive match against Lyons Township by three strokes, 166 to 169.
Oak Park-River Forest’s Jane Souders watches her drive against Lyons Township during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside. | Steve Johnston 
Oak Park-River Forest’s Isabel Stickney chips to the green during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course against Lyons Township Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside. | Steve Johnston 
Oak Park-River Forest’s Abby Dwyer follows through on her drive against Lyons Township during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside. | Steve Johnston 
Oak Park-River Forest’s Abby Dwyer takes her second shot against Lyons Township during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside. | Steve Johnston.
“I think we will be pretty competitive in the conference again this year and have a great shot to advance to sectionals as a team,” said OPRF coach Matt McMurray. “I’ve been impressed with the girls’ preparation and motivation, despite losing seven seniors from last year’s roster.”
Other OPRF schedule highlights are the Decatur Eisenhower Invitational September 24, held at Hickory Point Golf Course, the site of this year’s IHSA state championship, and the annual crosstown showdown with Fenwick, Sept. 24, at Oak Park Country Club.
The WSC Silver meet is Sept. 25. McMurray says perennial state power Hinsdale Central is the favorite, with Downers Grove North, Lyons Township, and York also fielding strong teams.
“Our goal is to finish top three in the conference and defend our regional title,” he added.
McMurray also would like to see at least one individual qualify for the state meet. He believes Vattana has a good chance after missing last year’s cut by two strokes.
“I’m proud of these players, most of whom are in their first year on varsity, for improving in the offseason,” McMurray said. “I’m excited to see what this new generation can accomplish this season.”
Fenwick
Fenwick returns 15 golfers from last year’s squad, which narrowly missed going downstate via a tiebreaker. However, the Friars need to replace Kathryn Sweeney, a four-year varsity golfer who was last year’s regional medalist.
“We feel we have one of our strongest teams under my tenure,” said Fenwick coach Michael Trankina. “We’re much deeper than last year, and many of our mid-level golfers have stepped up and are able to add quality scores to our varsity matches.”
Fenwick’s top four golfers are sophomore Mairin Sweeney, Kathryn’s younger sister who was a downstate qualifier (tie for 70th, 175 at the state meet), and seniors Emma Maria Bassett, Megan Grote, and Olivia Tsitovich. Newcomers to keep an eye on are freshmen Lila Gaddipati and Madeline Roginski; sophomore Noel Gallery; juniors Kate and Maddy Cox; and senior Molly Mullen.
The Friars’ challenging schedule is highlighted by matches against OPRF and St. Ignatius. But Trankina is really looking forward to the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference meet, Sept. 23, at Winnetka Golf Club.
“I am really aiming for a strong showing at the conference championship,” he said. “I don’t feel like we’ve played to our potential the last few years and we’re really working toward a better outcome.”
Loyola Academy figures to be the GCAC favorite, with Fenwick, Mother McAuley, and St. Ignatius the main challengers.
Fenwick wants to qualify for the state tournament as a team and is hopeful Mairin Sweeney can finish higher than last year, potentially making the All-State team. The Friars would also like to win the GCAC junior-varsity championship.
“Is that aiming too high? I don’t think so,” Trankina said. “I have confidence in this team. We have some tougher competition on our schedule to get us prepped; we’re playing on quality golf courses. But mostly, I want our seniors to finish out their high school careers with no regrets, giving their all at every round.”