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Parker golfers open with invite win

With the loss of five seniors from last year's sectional-qualifying squad, Coach Mary Ross doesn't know what to expect from her Janesville Parker High girls golf team this season.

The first result Thursday was encouraging.

The Vikings won the 11-team Elkhorn Invitational scramble event to open the season.

"I was thrilled today," Ross said. "They played together and interacted well."

Last year's Parker squad finished first in the Big Eight Conference dual meet season and was third in the conference meet. The Vikings advanced to the sectional meet.

Two key players—Taylor Utzig and Maggie O'Leary—are gone from that team, and Ross is watching how this year's squad develops.

"This is a real transitional year for us," Ross said.

Three juniors—Micayla Richards, Taylor Wyss and Lindsey Ahrens—and sophomore Kailey McDade played in the Elkhorn meet Thursday.

Richards had the most varsity experience last season, with Wyss right behind her. Ahrens joined the varsity late in the season and was impressive enough to earn All-Big Eight honorable mention honors.

Richards is expected to be the Vikings' No. 1 golfer, and she had the most memorable shot Thursday. Richards holed out a shot from 120 yards out on the par-4 No. 4 hole on the South course for an eagle.

Kendle Richards, a freshman and Micayla's sister, also could contribute on the varsity.

"They have some ability," Ross said. "The key is to bring Kailey and Kendle along. We need someone to step into the No. 4 scoring position."

Parker competes in the Edgewood Invitational today at Yahara Hills, which should be a good indication how the Big Eight season might go with many of the conference teams entered.

ELKHORN INVITATIONAL

At Evergreen GC

(Team Scramble)

TEAM RESULTS

Parker, 67; Brookfield East, 68; Westosha Central, 70; Union Grove, 72; Waterford and Wilmot, 74 each; Elkhorn I, 75; Badger, 82; Elkhorn II, 83; East Troy, 87; Lakeside Lutheran, 99.

Parker players: Micayla Richards, Taylor Wyss, Lindsey Ahrens, Kailey McDade.

Parker's remaining schedule:

AUGUST

Today—At Edgewood Invite, Yahara Hills, 9 a.m.; Tuesday—Beloit Memorial Scramble, at Krueger GC, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday—Madison East and Beloit Memorial, Monona GC, 9 a.m.; Thursday, 16—Milton Best Ball, Oak Ridge, 8:30 a.m.; Friday, 24—Verona and Madison Memorial, Riverside GC, 9 a.m.; Monday, 27—Crusade Fore A Cure, At Maple Bluff Country Club, noon; Wednesday, 29—Sun Prairie and Madison West, Sun Prairie CC, 9 a.m.

SEPTEMBER

Thursday, 6—Madison La Follette and Janesville Craig, at Monona GC, 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8—Cardinal Spartan Invitational, at Pleasnat View, Middleton, 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, 11—Middleton, at course TBD, 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 15—Janesville Parker Invitational, at Riverside GC, 7:30 a.m.; Monday, 17—Rock County Quad, Janesville CC, 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, 20—Big Eight Conference meet, at Evansville CC, 9 a.m.