Hays slight favorite for ’21 girls’ golf WAC race
With four returners from the 2020 Western Athletic Conference championship team, including Player of the Year Taleia McCrae, the Hays High Lady Indians enter the 2021 fall season as the favorite to repeat its title of a year ago.
There will be plenty of returning quality amongst the five schools as McCrae will be joined by another first-team all-WAC performer in junior Katie Dinkel. HHS head coach Mark Watts, beginning his 32nd year in that role (2020 WAC Coach of the Year), also brings back second-team all-WAC performer in sophomore Abbie Norris. Garden City’s Lady Buffs are headlined by junior Ryann Warren, who placed third individually in the 2020 WAC chase, but finished the season with a Class 6A regional medalist performance and taking 20th place at the state tournament.
Dodge City, last year’s team runner-up, was hit heavy by graduation, but veteran coach Jim Mapel, entering his 26th season, welcomes back all-league performer Tiley Fry and second-team selections sophomore Ashlyn Armstrong and senior Reanna Konrade. Great Bend’s top returner is second-team all-WAC player Allyson Kaiser.
The season-opening WAC tournament is slated to be played Monday, Aug. 30, at Smoky Hill Country Club in Hays. Other WAC tournaments, which go toward determining both team and individual awards, include Sept. 9 at Dodge City, Sept. 13 at Liberal, Sept. 23 at Garden City and Oct. 5 at Great Bend. The top six individuals earn all-WAC first team honors while the next six are named to the second team at the conclusion of the season.
DODGE CITY RED DEMONS
Head Coach: Jim Mapel, 26th season
2020 in Review: 2nd in WAC; Won 6A regional team title; placed 8th at 6A state tournament.
Top returners: Tiley Fry, 1st team all-WAC; Ashlyn Armstrong, 2nd team all-WAC; Reanna Barlett-Konrade, 2nd team all-WAC; varsity letter winner Victoria Gonzalez.
Coach’s Comments: “Our strength this fall is our senior class which includes four players who have varsity experience. We have three players who earned All WAC conference honors last season. Right now, we are looking at having 12 girls on the team. We need to develop and continue to improve the games of all players and we will see who steps into the varsity spots. Our main concern is we have only one new player coming out for the team this year at this point in time. We have an excellent schedule with two tournaments in Wichita and a one at Emporia Municipal Course where the State tournament will be held in October.”
GARDEN CITY BUFFALOES
Head Coach: Trent Specht, 3rd season.
2020 in Review: Buffs compiled a 28-27 record against opponents and were 13-11 against WAC foes as they finished 3rd in the WAC team race. They qualified for state tournament and placed ninth with a two-day total of 403-388-791.
Top Returners: Ryann Warren, Jr., 3rd in 2020 WAC individual standings; Class 6A regional champion; Tie 20th place, medal, at 6A State Tournament.
Other Returners: Jerika Lopez, So.; Emma Ortiz, So.
Newcomers to Watch: Kallista Rhoades, Jr.; Jacya Vargas, Fr., Natalie Unsworth, So.
Coach’s Comments: “I think our strengths are our depth. We should be able to all bring back some experience and get better as a group that will help us as the season goes along. We have a good player in Ryann Warren who is going to be better this year and lead this team. Everyone has improved and wants to work hard. We continue to look good when it comes to short game and hopefully this will be a strength for us as we get going.”
GREAT BEND PANTHERS
Head Coach: Steve Wolf, 1st year, 4 years as assistant.
2020 in Review: 4th in WAC; No state qualifiers for Class 5A, did not quality as team.
Top Returners: Allysonn Kaiser, Sr., 2nd team All-WAC, 2020); Daltrey Kurth, Sr.
Other returners: Annah Baldwin, So.; Clarissa Basehor, So.; Cailee Moeder, So.; Kylee Mohr, So.; Maleigha Ribordy, So.
Tope Newcomer: Myra Kurth, Fr.
Coach’s Comments: “We have two senior leaders in Allyson Kaiser and Daltrey Kurth who both return with varsity experience. I expect both of them to have great senior years and my goal is to get them both to the state tournament. The rest of our roster is made up of five sophomores and a freshman who are all pretty inexperienced. They all have a lot of potential and I expect a lot of improvement as the season progresses. We have to find some scores out of that group. Short game and putting is going to be paramount for us to lower our scores as we learn to make solid contact with our longer clubs. I am really excited to build around this young group as they move forward through high school. Our number is down this year so we will need to do a good job of selling the program to girls coming up who maybe aren’t volleyball players or runners.”
HAYS HIGH INDIANS
Head Coach: Mark Watts, 32nd year as head coach; 40th year overall.
2020 in Review: Won WAC team championship; Placed 4th in Class 5A State Tournament (354-347) and just missed third place by five shots.
Top Returners: Senior Taleia McCrae won WAC Player of the Year honors; Katie Dinkel also earned 1st team all-WAC honors; Gracie Wente, Sr.; Abbie Norris, So., 2nd team all-WAC.
Top Newcomers: Claire Humphrey, Jr.; Lily Garrison, So.; Evyn Cox, So.; Ashlyn Banker, So., Aspen Melvin, So., Jaycee Oakley, Fr.
Coach’s Comments: “The 2021 Lady Indian golf team will have lots of have lots of depth from last year’s returning players and girls who played junior varsity and incoming freshmen. We will be hosting the regional meet this year so that is an advantage for our team. We have strong leadership from our returning players.”
LIBERAL REDSKINS
Head Coach: Karen Roush, 2nd year.
2020 in Review: It was a struggle at times for the Lady Redskins as they placed fifth in each conference tournament.
Top Returners: Ashlynn Wagenseller, Amya Blake, Lesley Carillo, Maggie McIntyre. All played varsity in 2020.
Coach’s Comments: “All of my varsity team is capable of hitting the long shots. They are working hard on chipping/putting. Secondary shots are a work in progress. My team’s strengths are that we are a positive, close-knit group that enjoys the sport. The team works hard to get better every day.”
