Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Nadia Vattana feels she is playing her best golf this season. That’s a great sign, considering she’s already qualified for the Class 2A state meet the past two seasons.
“(I’ve improved on) just how I strike the ball,” Vattana said. “A lot of mental things, too, just being more calm, staying in it and not getting too mad about my shots.”
Vattana goes into the postseason with even more momentum after finishing third at the West Suburban Conference Meet, Sept. 23, at Village Greens in Woodridge. She shot a 6-over-par 78 to finish one shot from second and six strokes behind the medalist, Hinsdale Central senior Sara Han.
Using one birdie and 11 pars, Vattana improved on a 10th-place 82 in 2025.
“I did kind of want to play better, maybe first or second, but I’m happy with where I’m at,” Vattana said. “I’d be happier with a low (70s), maybe 74. But high 70s, if that’s a bad round, then I’ll take it.”
Seniors Samantha Leung (92), Lucy Wojtowicz (95). Chaya Shah-Hempel (97), Maddie Zielinski (104) and Faith Sizemore (122) and freshman Arshia Tak (123) also competed for the Huskies (362), who tied for fourth with Lyons Township but finished fifth on a tiebreaker. OPRF also finished fifth in the final overall standings, which combine dual and WSC Meet results.
The Huskies were scheduled to compete at the 2A St. Ignatius Regional Tuesday at Cog Hill. The top three teams advance to the Prospect Sectional, Oct. 5, at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club as well as the top 10 individuals not among the advancing teams.
This season, Vattana said she has been most pleased with her 2-over-par 73 that earned sixth at the Joliet Township Invite, Aug. 22.
“I’m ready to go to regionals, do well at sectionals, go to state,” Vattana said. “(The keys are) just try to stay in it, and know my game, I guess, not making too big of mistakes.”
Fenwick girls
Also competing in the St. Ignatius Regional was Fenwick. The Friars were coming off a second-place finish in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference North tournament held at Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort, Sept. 24, with a team score of 362.
“We started slowly, but I was thrilled with the way the girls stayed in the game and didn’t let the slow start affect their attitudes,” said Fenwick coach Mike Trankina.
Senior Mairin Sweeney was Fenwick’s top golfer, finishing in a tie for sixth with a round of 84. Junior Lila Gaddipati also secured a top-10 finish, tying for ninth with an 89.
Senior Noel Gallery (T-11th, 90), juniors Maddie Roginski (T-25th, 98) and Ella O’Brien (T-32nd, 105), and senior Maddie Brennan (T-41st, 112) completed Fenwick’s lineup.
“Both Noel and Lila really stepped up their game at conference and we would not have done as well without them,” Trankina said.
Gaddipati, Gallery, and Sweeney were all named to the GCAC North All-Conference Team. As for postseason goals, Trankina would like to see his team qualify for the sectional for the 10th consecutive season – and perhaps if all goes well, the state finals. He also wants to see Sweeney advance to the state finals for the fourth consecutive season.
“That would be a remarkable achievement,” he said. “She made state as a freshman and has then qualified and improved her standing in her sophomore and junior years. For her to make it again is my biggest priority beyond team success.”
Trinity also competed in the GCAC North, finishing ninth with a team score of 526. Freshman Graciela Perez was the Blazers’ top golfer, tying for 16th with a 93. Freshmen Maeve Sheehy (52nd, 136) and Nola Basney (54th, 140), sophomore Yale Bashua (55th, 157), and freshman Ellie Bathrick (56th, 159) also competed.
OPRF boys
The OPRF boys golf team finished fifth in the West Suburban Silver tournament at Prairie Bluff Golf Club in Crest Hill Sept. 22 with a team score of 305.
Junior Liam Berg had the lowest round of the day for the Huskies, shooting an even-par 72 to finish in a tie for seventh. Senior Karsten Davis (T-11th, 74), junior Killian McGrath (T-24th, 78), senior Will Timchak (T-33rd, 81), junior Luke Simon (T-40th, 84), senior Patrick Reed (T-42nd, 85), junior Aaron Konecki (T-44th, 86), and senior Thomas McFarlin (T-46th, 88) also competed.
OPRF, along with Fenwick, will compete in the Class 3A Jones Regional, Sept. 30, at George Dunne National Golf Course in Oak Forest.