Lady Eagles set to begin spring season on Monday in the Newberry College Invitational
Feb. 15, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Carson-Newman women's golf team may be in its first year of existence, but Lady Eagles head coach Holly Cantwell has assembled a roster capable of competing for championships.
The Lady Eagles, which will field a young squad in 2009 made up of three freshmen, three sophomores and a junior, have already proved they have the talent to win immediately after a successful fall season.
To open the program's inaugural season, C-N played in four tournaments in the fall and progressively improved. The Lady Eagles best finishes were a fifth place showing in the Lenoir-Rhyne Intercollegiate Invitational and they took second place in the Aramark Collegiate Invitational to wrap up the fall campaign, finishing just one stroke behind tournament champion Lenoir-Rhyne.
Cantwell, who was selected as head coach of the Lady Eagles in December of 2007, is anxious to see what her squad will do when it opens its spring schedule on Sunday in the Newberry College Invitational in Hilton Head, S.C.
"We really had a good fall season," Cantwell said. "Our last tournament we finished one stroke out of first against most of the teams in our conference. I don't see why we couldn't go into our conference championship this semester ready to win. If we prepare correctly and we are prepared mentally and physically, we will be fine."
Junior Sarah Jane Sinard (Jefferson City, Tenn.), who was a standout at nearby Jefferson County High School, will lead the way for the Lady Eagles. Sinard turned in four top 20 finishes in the fall, including a first place finish in the Aramark Collegiate Invitational with a two-day total of 153 (+9).
"She's my leader," Cantwell said of Sinard. "She is one that the rest of the conference looks at and says we need to beat this player, and she knows that. She is very confident and has unlimited potential."
Caitlin Fortner (Greeneville, Tenn.), University of Tennessee transfer Leah Hagedorn (Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.) and Kennesaw State transfer Jessica Tarbet (Corryton, Tenn.) make up a talented sophomore class.
Fortner played in two of C-N's fall tournaments and had impressive showings in both, including a second place finish in the Lady Falcon Invitational with a round of 76. Hagedorn's best finish in the fall was a 13th place showing in the Aramark Collegiate Invitational.
"(Fortner) started out the beginning of our season the most consistent and strongest player," Cantwell said. "I'm expecting to see good things out of her. (Hagedorn) had a slump this past season and has not played as well as she is capable of, but she's worked really, really hard. I think over this semester you will see her scores start to drop."
"(Tarbet) is going to be a leader. She's going to be a very strong player, and I think a lot of our girls will learn a lot from her game. She brings a lot to the table."
Freshmen Madison Minor (Jefferson City, Tenn.), Jennifer Oliver (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Erica Ray (Maryville, Tenn.) round out the Lady Eagles roster.
Oliver had a solid fall season with her best finish being a fourth place finish in the Aramark Collegiate Invitational. Ray also had a strong showing in the Aramark Invitational, claiming a tie for 11th place.
"(Oliver) has improved 20 strokes since she's been here," Cantwell said. "It is incredible. She's playing well now and she's gotten stronger. (Ray) is a strong player and has worked a lot this offseason on her physical game. She's come a long way, and I think her scores will start to show it this spring."
"(Minor) has come a long way. She's spent a lot of time working on her short game and improving the mechanics of her swing. Her positive attitude is very contagious and has helped the team and myself on days on the course when it's been hard."
The Lady Eagles will participate in five tournaments before heading to Etowah Valley Country Club in Etowah, N.C. to play in the South Atlantic Conference Championship on April 19.
