The Lancaster High School girls’ golf team brought their A-game to the green this year by achieving the best record they have had in fifteen years. The team placed third in the Ohio Capital Conference – Buckeye League. Aubrie Bibler placed first team OCC, Molly Stedman earned second-team OCC, and Brennan Salapek won honorable mention OCC. What’s more, the team achieved the best score on the course. Head coach Thomas Steadman proudly listed additional triumphs.
“Our last OCC match, we had our best 18-hole score, three athletes won three seasons awards, we had our best 13-hole score, and lots of golfers made it in the 40s this year,” he said.
Aubrie Bibler said that one of the season highlights was realizing how the amount of work they put into the season paid off. Last summer, we put in hours of work, so to see everyone finish with personal records was super rewarding and a memory I will never forget,” she said.
LHS junior Molly Steadman stated that one of the highlights of the season for her was personal.
¨I accomplished most of my goals and exceeded my expectations. My goal for next year is to win the OCC as a team and as an individual,¨ said Steadman.
LHS sophomore Brennan Salapek agreed with Steadman.
“The highlight of this season is hitting my personal goals. This golf year was very positive and full of improvement. I have learned to keep a positive mindset,” said Salapek.
“Playing golf has been the best feeling ever,” said Bibler.
“We shot 188 as a team and I could not be more proud of my teammates,” she said.
While the season was successful in many ways, the golfers also experienced some difficulties, too.
“The most challenging thing for me and the team was trying to stay consistent,” said Bibler.
Salapek said one of the challenges the team faced wasn’t just physical but their state of mind, too.
“This year the challenge was just believing in ourselves because we have a lot of new girls who haven’t played golf consistently before. They didn’t have a very high confidence level in their game,” she said.
While the game of golf centers on scores, the athletes said there is much more in the comradery of the game. LHS Junior Molly Stedman, who is Coach Stedman’s daughter, said that team collaboration and good sportsmanship were something the golfers emphasized.
“Our team dynamic is supporting each other. We focus on always picking each other up and being kind to others, no matter if they are on our own team or if it’s an opponent,” said Molly Stedman.
“Getting to the golf course early in the morning and seeing the sunrise is one of the most peaceful things I have ever done and will forever miss. Most teams feel like you are there to play, and that’s it, but this team feels like a sisterhood. I will always remember the bonds I created with the girls on the team and the girls I played against. I have created memories that will last a lifetime,” said Bibler.
Coach Stedman, who has been coaching for 25 years said that mentoring the golfers is rewarding.
“I love getting out there and practicing with my girls. I love watching them get better as the season goes on and trying to help them understand and do their best,” he said.
Stedman’s daughter reciprocates those feelings.
“From my coach, I would say I learned patience. He taught me to take it one hole at a time and to fight for every shot. From the older girls, I learned how to not get down on myself and push through all mental battles during a match or practice,” said Molly Stedman.
