All-Area Girls Golf 2011: Tournament-tested golfers headline talented squad

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

There has not been a shortage of girls golf talent in the area in recent years. The 2011 backs that up even further.

For the seventh straight season, at least one local team from the www.northoaklandsports.com has finished in the top three in the state at the Division 1 tournament and there has been at least one golfer on the All-State Super Team in the past seven seasons. In fact, in the fall 2009 season, four of the eight golfers on the Super Team hailed from northern Oakland County.

This year there was again exceptional talent, as three teams, plus seven individuals, all advanced to the state finals in one of the state’s four divisions.

For the third straight season, one area athlete also earned the Miss Golf award, given annually to the state’s top player, while three local stars earned some type of all-state recognition.

Here on the All-Area team, there was so much talent that the postseason suqad expanded into a second team.

The squads are based on averages, difficulty of schedule and placing at a variety of tournaments this season.

Below are profiles of each golfer named to the first team or second team:

Rochester Stoney Creek senior Gabby Yurik became the third straight area player to be named Miss Golf in 2011 and is a four-time member of the All-Area First Team. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

FIRST TEAM

KELLY FENG, Troy: A senior and four-time state qualifier, Feng helped lead the Colts to back-to-back top-10 state tournament finishes in her junior and senior seasons. She finished the year with a 39.0 average for nine holes and an 82.0 average for 18 holes with multiple top-10 finishes. She was 10th at the Division 1 state finals (87-87—174). Feng, was named to the All-State First Team in Division, All-Oakland County First Team and All-OAA Red Division, the latter where she led her team to a league championship.

CHRISTINE DOLIKIAN, Troy: Another four-year varsity veteran for the Colts, Dolikian was another sturdy performer that helped the Colts to three straight state finals appearances. She finished with averages of 41.0 (nine holes) and 88.0 (18 holes) and finished with three top-10 tournament finishes this season, including eighth at the Tanglewood regional (83), third at the first OAA Red Division tournament and 11^th at the second league tournament, and eighth at the Mattick Invitational. Dolikian recorded a 196 (96-100) at the state finals. She garnered All-OAA Red Division honors this season.

DAPHNE CHANG, Troy: This freshman debuted onto the scene to become one of the area’s top freshmen prospects and was consistently a top-three scorer for the state-ranked Colts. This season, Chang earned All-OAA Red Division and All-County Honorable Mention honors after a fine season which saw her finish 13th overall at the Division 1 state finals (87-90—177). She averaged 41 for nine holes and 86 for tournaments. She claimed fifth at both league tournaments (85 twice) and was 10^th at the Tanglewood regional (84).

Troy senior Kelly Feng ared All-State First Team honors this season and was named to the All-Area First Team for the third straight season. File Photo

GABBY YURIK, Rochester Stoney Creek: A senior and four-time all-state honoree, Yurik was named the 2011 Miss Golf following a brilliant senior season and four-year career where she rarely finished outside of the top 10. Headed for Michigan State, Yurik averaged 36 for nine holes and an area best 75.2 for tournaments. She was the Cougars top finisher in each event this season and medalist nine times overall between tournaments and dual matches. She won the Holiday Inn Express Invitational (75), Grosse Ile Invitational (72), OAA Red Division League Tournament No. 1 (74), Oakland County Division I Tournament (71), Twin Lakes regional (72) and the medalist at the Division 1 state finals (78-75—153). She also claimed third at the Ann Arbor Pioneer Invitational (78) and was third at the OAA Red Division Tournament No. 2 (83), her highest score of the season. She was also named to the All-state Super Team for the third time along with being named to the All-OAA Red Division, All-Area and All-County First Team for the third straight season.

CHLOE GUSCHEWSKI, Rochester Stoney Creek: A sophomore in her second varsity campaign, Guschewski  moved up to the team’s No. 2 spot and helped the Cougars repeat as a regional champion and finish second in the state for the second straight campaign. She averaged 43.6 for nine holes and 85.5 for 18 hole and had multiple top-25 finishes throughout the season, including the state finals (93-90—183). Guschewski was third at the Twin Lakes regional (79), third at the second OAA-Red tournament (83) and 16th at the first league tournament (94), was 12^th at the Oakland County Division I tournament (84), 13^th at the Grosse Ile tournament (82) and 20^th at the Holiday Inn Express tournament (84). She earned All-OAA Red Division and All-County Honorable Mention honors.

Troy Athens sophomore Jennifer Yang earned All-Area First Team honors this season for the first time.

JENNIFER YANG, Troy Athens: A sophomore in her second varsity campaign, Yang improved her game this season enough to earn All-State Honorable Mention Division 1 honors. Averaging 41 for duals and 78 for tournaments, Yang won the Oakland County Division II tournament title (73) early in the season and maintained her stance as one of the area’s best. She was second at the OAA White Division tournament (78) and seventh at the Tanglewood regional (83). Yang was medalist at seven of nine dual matches and finished second at two others. She was named to the All-OAA White Division and All-County teams for her efforts.

ABBIE MCCAIN, Rochester Stoney Creek: A junior in her third varsity campaign, McCain was another consistent player for the Cougars, who finished in the top five at nine tournaments this season. McCain’s top performances this season included seventh at the Twin Lakes regional (85) and ninth at the second OAA Red Division tournament (89). McCain, who averaged 44.4 for duals and 89.1 for tournaments, also had respectable scores at the Holiday Inn Express tournament (87), OAA Red Division Tournament No. 1 (93), Ann Arbor Pioneer Invite (85, 17^th), Grosse Ile Invitational (85), Oakland County Division I (88), and the Division 1 state finals (99-92—171).

ALEXANDRIA JOHNSON, Holly: Johnson was part of the Bronchos’ inaugural team in 2009 and became the school’s first state qualifier this season by finishing 10^th at the Heather Highlands regional (90). Johnson carded 192 at the Division 2 state finals (96-96), good for 47^th out of 90 competitors. She was fifth at the Oakland County Division II tournament (83), 10th at the Flint Metro League meet (91), ninth at the Lapeer Tune-Up (87) and 12th at the Traverse City Lober Invitational. The junior holds school records for tournament score (83) and dual match score (39). She averaged 42.5 for duals and 87 for tournaments.

SECOND TEAM

KYLA KURCZEWSKI, Oxford: This sophomore battled some health issues all season but still played well enough to qualify for the Division 2 state finals, Oxford’s first since Anne Hubbard made the cut in 2000. She claimed fifth at the Oakland County Division II tournament (83), after winning the event last season, while she placed 13^th at the Heather Highlands regional (91), 21^st at the Lapeer Tune-Up (91), fifth at the second OAA White Division tournament (93) and third at the second OAA-White tournament (90). She averaged 44.1 for duals and 90.5 for tournaments.

AMANDA GRAHAM, Rochester: While the Falcons saw their streak of 13 straight season of qualifying for the state finals come to an end, Graham was still a repeat qualifier as an individual. The senior and three-year varsity veteran averaged 89.2 for tournaments and 42.8 for duals as the Falcons’ most consistent performer. She was 11^th at the Twin Lakes regional (93), seventh (87) at the first OAA Red Division tournament and 10^th at the second league tournament (89). She was also 10^th at the Holt Invitational (85), 20^th at the Ann Arbor Pioneer Invitational (90), 21^st at the Grosse Ile Invitational (88) and 25^th at the Oakland County Division I tournament (86). Graham finished up her prep career by finishing 31^st at the Division 1 state finals (102-89—191).

BAILEY COMPTON, Rochester Stoney Creek: Just a freshman, Compton replaced her older sister, 2010 Miss Golf Devon Compton, in the lineup this season and helped the Cougars remain a top-five team all season. Her debut campaign saw Compton average 45.7 for dual matches and 89.5 for tournamenst, where she had many respectable finishes for the state runner-up Cougars. She was eighth at the OAA Red Division Tournament No. 1 (89) and ninth at the second league tournament (89) to gain all-league status. She was also sixth at the Twin Lakes regional (83) and competed at the Holiday Inn Express tournament (87), Grosse Ile Tournament (90), Ann Arbor Pioneer Invitational) (94) and finished up the season by shooting 187 (91-96—187) at the D-1 state finals.

LEXIE CIPA, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep: This senior and two-year captain will graduate as the school’s first state qualifier and she accomplished that feat twice, as both a junior and senior. Named to the CHSL All-League team following a season where she averaged 48.0 for duals and 89 for tournaments, Cipa placed 26^th at the Division 4 state finals (87-96—183). She was ninth at the Lapeer Tune-Up, eighth at the Oakland County Division II tournament (91), eighth at the Livonia Ladywood Invitational and eighth at the Cracklewood regional.

STACY LECZNAR, Lake Orion: This senior improved leaps and bounds the past two seasons and was rewarded by qualifying for the Division 1 state finals after finishing ninth at the Twin Lakes regional (87), a season-best round. Lecznar placed 40^th out of 90 golfers at the D-1 state tournament (99-96—195) and averaged around 92 for the season. Lecznar cracked the top-20 at both the OAA Red Division tournaments this season and was 21^st at the Oakland County Division I Tournament (89).

MADDY MCCLEAN, Lake Orion: McClean came on strong towards the end of the season, missing the state finals by placing 20^th at the regional with a 92, only three strokes shy of a state finals pass. She also finished top-20 at both OAA Red Division tournaments and averaged 92 for the season. At the Division I Oakland County tournament, McClean was 25^th (90).

HAILEY BRADLEY, Rochester: Bradley joined Graham as an individual qualifier in her second season as part of Rochester’s top five. Bradley finished her junior year 28^th at the Division 1 state finals (88-100—188). She was 11^th at both OAA Red Division league tournaments (92, 92) and also finished ninth at the Twin Lakes regional (87). Bradley had several other top-25 finishes, including the Holt Invitational (90), Grosse Ile Invitational (87), Ann Arbor Pioneer Invitational (90) and finished top-30 at Oakland County Division I tournament (93).

MACKENZIE BLOMBERG, Auburn Hills Avondale: Just a freshman, Blomberg had a fine debut season to become one of the top golfers in program history. She averaged 46.1 for duals and 90.5 for tournaments and earned All-OAA Blue Division honors. Blomberg finished 10^th at the Oakland County Division II tournament (85), won the second OAA-Blue tournament (80) and was third at the second OAA Blue Division tourney. She was medalist at three dual meets but had an off day at the Division 2 Heather Highlands regional, placing 21^st (97).

KAELA SAKORAFIS, Rochester Adams: A slow start hampered this junior’s season, but she recovered in the final weeks to help her team become a surprise state qualifier. She was 15^th at the Twin Lakes regional (91) as one of her best efforts. She averaged 46.4 for duals and 95.9 for tournaments, shot 187 (95-92) at the Traverse City Lober Classic, while competing at the Grosse Ile Invitational (102), OAA Red Division Tournament No. 1 (99), Ann Arbor Pioneer Invitational (96), Oakland County Division I (ninth, 83), OAA Red Division Tournament No. 2 (98, and the D-1 state finals (99-104).

KATE CENKO, Rochester Adams: This junior had her best effort the season at the Twin Lakes regional, finishing eighth with an 85 to help the Highlanders qualify for state. She was also 11^th overall at the Traverse City Lober Invitational (87-82—169). Cenko, a third-year varsity performer, also competed at the Grosse Ile Invitational (86), OAA Red Division Tournament No. 1 (100), Ann Arbor Pioneer Invitational (99), OAA Red Division Tournament No. 2 (102) and the Division 1 state finals (108-100—208). She averaged 47.0 for duals and 95.1 for tournaments.

COACH OF THE YEAR

JOHN GETZAN, Troy: In his seventh season since taking over the Colts’ varsity, Troy had its best season to date. The Colts finished 6-0 in league duals and won both league tournaments (337, 342) to earn the OAA Red Division title. Troy was second at the Oakland County Division I Tournament (343), placed second at the Tanglewood regional and won the Mattick Invitational. At the state finals, Troy finished fifth in Division 1 (368-379—747), its third straight state finals appearance, second straight top-10 finish and highest state finals finish in school history.

ALL-NORTH OAKLAND AREA GIRLS GOLF TEAM 2011

FIRST TEAM

NAME                  SCHOOL                 GRADE
Gabby Yurik           Rochester Stoney Creek Senior

Jennifer Yang         Troy Athens            Sophomore

Chloe Guschewski      Rochester Stoney Creek Sophomore

Kelly Feng            Troy                   Senior

Alexandra Johnson     Holly                  Junior

Abbie McCain          Rochester Stoney Creek Junior

Daphne Chang          Troy                   Freshman

Christine Dolikian    Troy                   Senior

COACH OF THE YEAR

John Getzan             Troy                 Seventh Season

SECOND TEAM

Auburn Hills Avondale: Mackenzie Blomberg, jr.; Lake Orion: Stacy Lecznar,
sr.; Maddy McLean, sr.; Oxford: Kyla Kurczewski, soph.; Pontiac Notre Dame
Prep:Lexie Cipa, sr.; Rochester: Amanda Graham, sr.; Hailey Bradley, jr.;
Rochester Adams: Kaela Sakorafis, jr.; Kate Cenko, jr.; Rochester Stoney
Creek: Bailey Compton, fr.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Auburn Hills Avondale: Courtney Morton fr.; Clarkston: Taylor Hefty, soph.;
Anna Gray, soph.; Paige Olsen, soph.; Holly: Emma Alexander, sr.; Lindsay Baslock, sr.;

Oxford: Hannah Beebe, sr.; Ortonville Brandon: Megan Pfarrer, jr.; Rochester: Jazmin

Haque, jr.; Rochester Stoney Creek: Therese Knapp, jr.; Rochester Hills Lutheran 

Northwest: Gabby Bueno, sr.; Gabriella Gonzalez, soph.; Troy: Marisa Oleski, sr.;

Troy Athens: Laura Demarco, sr.

FOR MORE GOLF COVERAGE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14

* Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.

(To report varsity results, e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com or dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com )

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