Fenwick High School senior Mairin Sweeney has accomplished plenty on the golf course in her career, including three consecutive trips to the IHSA girls individual state finals. She tied for 70th as a freshman, was 77th as a sophomore, and tied for 59th last year while also making All-Conference in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference.
Tenth-year head coach Mike Trankina believes Sweeney’s mindset on the course makes her stand out.
“Her strengths are her mental game and short game. If you count her out of a hole or a round, you have made a big mistake,” he said.
Sweeney is one of five returning golfers for Fenwick, which also brings back seniors Maddie Brennan and Noel Gallery and juniors Lila Gaddipati and Maddie Roginski, who are each in their third varsity season. Like Sweeney, Gaddipati made All-Conference.
“I can honestly say that each returning golfer has shown amazing improvement since last season,” Trankina said. “This will be an interesting team.”
A pair of newcomers look to make an impact this fall: junior Emma O’Brien and freshman Ellie Hyland. Hyland will begin the year at the junior-varsity level, but Trankina anticipates adding her to the varsity in time for the postseason.
“She’ll be playing some variety golf this year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her step up at regionals and sectionals,” he said.
Fenwick opened its season, Aug. 17, with a victory over Providence Catholic. The Friars are also looking forward to the annual East Avenue Showdown versus Oak Park and River Forest at the Oak Park Country Club, Sept. 15.
Trankina feels Fenwick can contend for the GCAC title, but they’ll need to get past perennial powers Loyola and St. Ignatius to do so. As for the state series?
“Mairin needs to make it (to state) four years in a row. She’s the priority but we want to send the team with her, or at least another individual,” he said. “Noel is coming on so strongly. So if the team doesn’t make it, though I think we’re strong enough, Mairin and Noel qualifying for state would be the highlight of my coaching career.”
OPRF
Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Nadia Vattana has qualified in each of the past two seasons for the IHSA individual girls golf state finals, tying for 55th as a sophomore and tying for 52nd last fall.
Now in her final season as a Huskie, Vattana, who will play collegiately at Denison College, is seeking a third consecutive state trip.
“I’m feeling very good about Nadia’s game and her chances to finish top 25 at state this year,” said 10th-year OPRF head coach Matt McMurray, who believes Vattana is the best all-around player he’s ever coached. “Her game has developed quite a bit, especially her mental game, since last season. She’s ready to do big things.”
Vattana is one of seven varsity returnees for OPRF. The Huskies finished seventh in the West Suburban Conference last fall, but McMurray feels the experience gained will pay dividends.
“I’m feeling great about this season. We’re bringing back a good core of players and I’m excited to see what they can do in the conference,” he said.
Vattana, along with junior Maeve Gibbs, made All-Conference in 2025. Other returnees are seniors Sammie Leung, Faith Sizemore, Chaya Shah-Hempel, Lu Wojtowicz, and Maddie Zielinski. Newcomers are freshmen Chloe Ramirez and Arshia Tak along with junior Jenna Nohalty.
“Maeve has a penchant for keeping her cool and looking unfazed by the ups and downs of golf,” McMurray said. “Chaya and Sammie are solid players that will bolster our lineup. Lu had an impressive tryout and it looks like she’s on track to bounce back from a trying season last year.”
Some schedule highlights on OPRF’s schedule include the Midlothian Challenge hosted by Providence Catholic, Aug. 29, and Senior Night versus Fenwick, Sept. 15.
“(Fenwick is) our crosstown rival and always a close competitor at regionals, so that will be fun,” said McMurray, noting that Hinsdale Central is the clear-cut favorite for the WSC title, which Downers Grove North right behind. But he also believes OPRF should vie for third along with Downers Grove South, Lyons Township, and York.
“Our goals are top three in the conference and (winning) regionals,” McMurray said. “Golf is a sport in which you have to weather the storm, literally and figuratively, and if we can be mentally strong enough to do that, there’s no telling what this team can achieve.”