Mee, Libby looking strong in Class A golf
By DAVID LESNICK
The Daily Inter Lake
Jim Mee of Libby and Julia DiGiallonardo of Polson have picked up right where they left off last season.
Mee, after two early outings to begin the Class A golf season, has been the medalist both times.
DiGiallonardo was fourth at the Ronan Invitational.
Mee was the state runner-up to Sam Krause of Whitefish last fall, while DiGiallonardo finished fourth.
The Libby boys finished third at the state tournament. Polson's girls came in sixth.
"He can play anywhere, anytime," said veteran Libby coach Dan Rohrer of his star player.
"He has a game that's different from any I've ever seen. He has power, but he has a short game to go with it. That's what makes him so consistent."
Rohrer said Mee was a fixture at the golf course all summer long.
"He's put in his time," Rohrer said. "Nobody puts in more time than Jimmy Mee. That's his game, and he does it well."
Polson coach Bill Owen can say the same thing about DiGiallonardo. She's dedicated, driven to succeed.
"She's golfing well right now and is very consistent," he said. "She worked real hard on her game this summer."
Bigfork
Coach Steve Hullett, now in his 23rd season coaching golf, has 17 athletes out - 10 boys and seven girls.
Senior Tyler Butts and juniors Scott Taylor, Zack Bruer and Carson Harris have the most experience for the boys.
Hullett said Butts shoots in the high 70s to low 80s, while Taylor, Bruer and Harris all have the potential to shoot solid scores.
Kyle Parker shows promise after carding an 84 in his first tournament of the fall.
Juniors Amy Gembala and Caitland O'Dell both saw action a year ago and are back for another go.
"She's improved from last year," Hullett said of Gembala. "She could go to state if she knuckles down."
Columbia Falls
The boys have three tournament tested players back in seniors Micah Jam and Zane Ridings and sophomore Tanner Lineberry.
Coach Gene Marcille, who begins his 19th season, said the trio should make the Wildcats competitive in Northwestern A conference action.
"Micah, Zane and Tanner are great kids, who really enjoy the challenge of golf," Marcille said. "I'm confident we're in for a good season with their dedication and leadership."
Marcille said some of the younger players on the roster will battle for a couple varsity spots.
For the girls, Kelsey DeWit, a sophomore, is back for her second season. The Wildkats will be very young this season thanks to the addition of several freshmen and sophomores.
"I'm excited about the turnout of girls this year," Marcille said. "This could be the base for building a stronger girls' team for the future."
Libby
Joining Mee on the varsity will be Eric Anderson, a junior, Zach Watson, a sophomore, and Bryan Cooper, a senior.
Watson had a super showing at state last year on the second day, and is currently the team's No. 2 player.
Rohrer said Anderson and Watson are solid players, while Cooper, who has been in the program for four years, "could be the sleeper for us."
Rohrer says the fifth varsity position is currently wide open.
"We've got a whole bunch of kids fighting for that spot," he said. "That's good. We have four or five freshmen coming on."
Rohrer returns all of his girls from a year ago: Sperry Robinson, Korey Kulbeck and Holly Cirian. All are seniors.
Robinson advanced to state in 2006.
Rohrer said Robinson and Kulbeck should be top-10 players on the tournament level during the regular season. Cirian is making strides in just her second season with the sport.
Jona Peltier, a sophomore, is also out for the first time.
"Probably the straightest hitter I've seen for girls," Rohrer said of Peltier. "She has good touch, pretty athletic. She's picked it up quick."
Peltier shot a 113 in her first 18-hole tournament.
"One of the biggest surprises I've ever seen for girls," Rohrer said.
A few more names to watch for are freshman Candace Hendrickson, junior Ashley Barnett and senior Alyshia Sanderson.
Polson
The Pirates have four girls back with state experience - DiGiallonardo, Cali Hislop, a junior, Lacy Kvam, a junior, and Natalie Arlint, a sophomore.
The team welcomes a Whitefish transfer, Ashley Archer. She was the No. 4 player for the Lady Bulldogs in 2006.
Two freshmen who could push for varsity time are Heather Mathison and Amy Williamson.
"I have a little depth, which I didn't have before," Owen said. "I have seven good players."
Owen said the boys will be "a lot improved over last year."
The boys finished fourth at Ronan and tied for third at Anaconda in the first two outings this fall.
"They're golfing well," Owen said.
Senior Shawn Medland and sophomore Tyler Engebretsen are both off to good starts. Engebretsen shot a 76 at the Ronan Invitational.
The third varsity veteran back is Aaron Clairmont, a senior.
Two more players expected to contribute are senior Ed Truman and sophomore Joe Andrews.
Ronan
Katy Sorrell has posted the best and second-best rounds for the girls in two outings thus far. She shot 85 to finish second to Whitefish's Chelsea Ray at the Ronan Invitational.
Chelsea Lipscomb had the best round, 111, for the girls at Anaconda.
Erin Irvine is the other varsity player.
The boys have a full squad with Micah Lee, Nolan Harris, Kruz McDermott, Austin Cheff and Ryon Hesselgesser.
Lee, Harris and McDermott all shot in the low 90s at Anaconda.
The team is coached by Rupe Paulson.