After a hard fought season by the Warren Central girls golf team, they ultimately fell just short in their sectional meet. Senior Jaylah Smith shot just two strokes off from a regional qualifying score.
Although the season has come to a close, the girls have had an enormous amount of success as they racked up pars and birdies in their regular season.
Just two years ago, the team had not won a match in 10 years, and last year they earned their first wins against notable teams such as Ben Davis and Bishop Chatard. This year the girls team is floating around the .500 mark, which is a huge improvement compared to the last decade.
Additionally, both Smith and sophomore Aliya Thompson placed top 10 in the finalists of the conference tournament in early September.
This year's team is a senior-heavy group led by team captain Smith and supporting captains Ashley Wallace and Laniya Chaney, and they are leaving a mark not just on this program but also on their teammates.
“We have to set an example,” Chaney said of the senior leaders. “I think we need to show [younger teammates] how to carry ourselves. It’s good how we represent ourselves.”
Coaching has without a doubt played a huge role in the team's success over the last two years, as previous coaches were unable to bring up match wins. This year, head coach Stephen Crumlin led the team to their best possible form on and off the course.
“He always checks up on us on and off the course,” Wallace said. “It makes me feel like a player … and it makes me want to play.”
This year's team was very focused on bonding, as the team wants to hold friendships even after they leave. The girls found efficient ways to work in time to get to know one another better but also help positively lead each other.
“We get along really well,” Smith said. “We all click when it is time to lock in. We do make sure we speak out of school. We are all really tight because of golf.”