Friday, September 18, 2009

For the first time in school history, Valparaiso’s women’s golf team will take to the links this fall as the Crusaders participate in four tournaments under head coach Mike Higdon.

Four freshmen and a redshirt-junior make up the first team in Valpo history, which will begin play September 21-22 at the Chicago State Fall Invitational.

Kadie Savorre, a senior who has two years of eligibility, is the only upperclassman on the team.  She played prep golf at Paris High School in Illinois where she led her team to the Apollo Conference Championship in 2006 as well as a second place finish in the regionals.

The four freshmen will all get a chance to compete and make an immediate impact in their rookie campaigns.  Sarah Al-Momar led Sylvania Southview was a First Team All-Northern Lakes League selection as a junior.  An Ohio native, she led the Cougars to the NLL Championship in 2006. Kathleen Cooper joins the team after being a two-time regional qualifier for Hobart High School in Indiana as well as a three-time First Team All-Conference selection for the Brickies.

Annie Nolan helped lead Valparaiso High School to a fourth and sixth place finish in the state of Indiana during her prep career and will look to use that experience as she transitions to collegiate golf.  Jessica O’Brien is also a local product that helped Chesterton High School to a pair of sectional championships.  She helped lead the Trojans to their first state appearance in school history in 2008.

In addition to the opening tournament in school history, Valpo will also head to invitationals at Butler, Green Bay, and Dayton during the fall season.  Higdon’s squad will hopefully use the tournaments to gain the experience needed in preparation for the spring championship season.