PREVIEW: Gotelaere, Tracy team up to lead Superior girls golf team

When Alison Gotelaere and Anne Tracy started their golf careers at Superior High School, they were just freshmen hoping to contribute as the fourth and fifth golfers on the varsity team.

Now, Tracy and Gotelaere are steely veterans hoping to lead the Spartans to a good finish against a strong Heart O’ North Conference field, and the seniors are drawing upon their own experience to help the three freshmen new to the team this year.

“They were in the same boat,” said Jason Kalin, Spartan girls golf coach. “They’re doing a nice job of just trying to help the girls out.”

This year’s freshmen — Samantha Aune, Rachel Jaszczak and Allie Shober — couldn’t ask for better mentors. Both Tracy and Gotelaere had great success in their freshman debuts, with Gotelaere making a hole-in-one and Tracy getting an eagle.

They’ve gone on to be consistent golfers for Superior and will lead the Spartans this year with returning juniors Kali O’Neill and Alisha Moran.

Kalin, who takes over as coach from Dan Schulz, has appreciated the leadership of his returning players to start the season.

He coached Spartan girls golf from 1997-2001 before stepping aside, but Kalin continued to follow the successes and setbacks of the team.

This year, the girls golf coaching position became vacant, so Kalin decided to step up.

“I’m having fun,” Kalin said. “I know most of the girls on the team just from teaching.”

The Spartans lost a match with HON opponents Barron and Hayward Tuesday, and Superior is scheduled to compete in the Hayward Invite today.

Two Spartan freshmen were competing in their very first varsity match on Tuesday, Kalin said, and Superior had only four of its players available.

“Right now we only have one way to go, and that is up,” Kalin said.

Hayward, meanwhile, is heavily favored to win the conference title and returns the most experienced group of golfers among HON teams.

Superior will be back in action Monday in a match with the Northwestern Tigers, Spooner and St. Croix Falls and Botten’s Green Acres.

The team will then host the Spartan Invite on Tuesday at Nemadji Golf Course. Golfing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Girls Golf

Head Coach: Jason Kalin

Tue., Aug. 16 at Barron, 9 a.m.

Fri., Aug. 19 at Hayward Invite, 8:45 a.m.

Mon., Aug. 22 at Northwestern w/Spooner/St. Croix Falls, noon

Tue., Aug. 23 Superior Invite, 9 a.m.

Wed., Aug. 24 at New Rich., 8:30 a.m.

Fri., Aug. 26 at Chetek, 9 a.m.

Mon., Aug. 29 at Luck, 9 a.m.

Wed., Aug. 31 vs. Spooner/NW, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 6 at Ladysmith, 4:30 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 8 Northwestern Invite at Hidden Greens, 9:30 a.m.

Mon., Sept. 12 vs. Cumberland, 4 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 19 at Hayward, 4 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 21 HON at Barron, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 28 WIAA Regional

Tue., Oct. 4 WIAA Sectional

Oct. 10-11 WIAA State at Madison

Tags: sports, superior, spartans, tennis