Piedmont has strong core of athletes
The Piedmont High School girls golf team has high hopes for the new season, with a combination of returning players and exciting freshman giving the team a strong group of players at the top of the ladder.
“We’ve got a strong young core of players,” coach Marvin Vitatoe said. “I feel we are set up to be very successful in the future. How we do this year will depend on how much work they put in. I think we’re going to be very compeittive this year.”
At the top is freshman Abbie Droessler.
“She’s got game for sure,” Vitatoe said. “Just a very steady player. Loves the game, loves to get better. Brings a lot of youth and joy to our team.
She’s just extremely steady, keeps the ball in play, knows her game. I expect her to make some noise going forward. Shes got all the potential in the world.”
Returning senior Clara Shum is the No. 2 golfer to open the season.
“She has put in the work,” Vitatoe said. “She’s able now to put together a nice nine holes that we need out of the No. 2 player. Just another steady player that keeps the ball in play. She putts really well.”
Kinnon Steinberg, another returning senior, is at No. 3.
“She has a bright disposition,” Vitatoe said. “Just a great player to have around. Keeps everybody up. Definitely one of our “Woo” girls. One of the glue players. She kind of holds the team together.”
Freshman Allison Lee is starting at No. 4 with a good chance of moving up the ladder. She is the younger sister of Derek Lee, who has starred on the boys’ team in recent years.
“She has got a lot of talent,” Vitatoe said. “Just a really steady player with a lot of potential. She is an incredible athlete. Her main sport is soccer.
“She could play anywhere between one and four. I have her (at four) right now simply because she doesn’t have the experience but she will by the time the season is over.”
Senior Lily Izakson is holding down the fifth spot.
“She is always trying, she is always giving her best effort,” Vitatoe said.
A group of girls will share the sixth spot, getting lots of opportunities to play. They are junior Hannah Joerger, freshman Emmie Hong, senior Carly Kemp-Malone, sophomore Willow Thomas, junior Nylah Kim, junior Ida Marshall, and junior Sophie Paynter.
Vitatoe said his freshmen have a lot of talent.
“By the end of the year I could see them playing 1-2-3,” he said.
The Highlanders opened the season with a nonleague win over Moreau Catholic. On Aug. 25, they swept two West Alameda County Conference opponents in a very tight match, shooting a 252 at Metropolitan Golf Links. Berkeley had a 257 and Bishop O’Dowd had a 258.
Droessler had a 41 to earn medalist honors. Shum shot a 48 with Lee at 51. Hong shot 54, Izakson 58, and Kim 62.