Scots women golfers ready to defend conference crown

Release Date: August 28, 2003

MONMOUTH, Ill. – “Defending conference champions” – in other words, the Monmouth College women’s golf team has a big target painted on their backs.

Fortunately for the Fighting Scots, first-year head coach Bill Pieper knows a thing or two about defending a title. After all, he guided the Monmouth High School boys’ golf team to a state record six straight state titles from 1985-90.

Pieper will have his experience and the veteran knowledge of three seniors – three-time All-Midwest Conference golfer Amy Rassman (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way), 2002 all-conference performer Nicole Auclair (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South) and Liz Gard (Arvada, Colo./West).

“With these three seniors leading the way, I’m optimistic about repeating as conference champs,” said Pieper. “They have been great leaders and have taken the freshmen under their wings and are really nurturing them.”

Also returning for the Scots is sophomore Stephanie Fitzsimmons (Aurora, Ill./West) who Pieper calls “greatly improved” from the 2002 campaign.

Among the three freshmen, Kacie Parge (Aurora, Ill./West) has been “impressive and capable of scoring in the 80s” according to Pieper. The Scots mentor thinks Sarah Zaleski (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North), who is recovering from an off-season foot injury, will be able to play herself back into shape by the Scots’ lone home meet on Sept. 13.

“We’re low on numbers, but high on quality,” said Pieper, whose team was racked with injuries before they even arrived on campus, dropping the roster from two full squads to barely enough for one team.

“(Junior) Becky Gillengerten (Antioch, Ill./HS) has been a real trooper,” said Pieper. “She had surgery on both her wrists this summer and is volunteering as a student-assistant. Just having her around will be a big help to these freshmen.”

Although optimistic about successfully defending the conference crown, Pieper also knows that can be a difficult task. Citing the pre-season injuries, he was somewhat philosophic, saying, “It’s not easy to defend a title, but these young ladies have battled through some adversity this summer and I’m sure it will not only make them better individuals, but better golfers.”

That philosophy may be the result of Piper’s experience as a legendary high school coach and could be enough to propel the Scots to their second straight MWC crown.

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