Stevenson’s varsity girls golf team recently wrapped up their season as the runner-up in the IHSA State Finals with a total score of 608. This year, the team went 9-3, 6-0, securing their eighth consecutive North Suburban Conference champion title.
The team broke many individual records over the course of their stellar season. Sophia Jeong ’26 broke the Patriots sectional record with an overall score of 5-under-par 66. Regionals proved to be yet another success for the team as Stevenson became the champions with student Campbell Ray ‘27 receiving second place individually. However, varsity girls golf coach Emma Degen is most proud of the team’s development.
“The team came a long way in their practice habits, mental game, and team camaraderie,” Degen said.
The team started the season with two individual losses in their first four games by one stroke, but the team worked together to improve. Degen is happy with the team’s success but wants to continue to strive towards growth within the team.
“We are constantly trying to better ourselves in both our physical and mental games,” Degen said. “Continuing to prepare ourselves to compete at our best, not just in shot selection, but in how we recover from mistakes and handle pressure will help each one of our athletes improve.”
Varsity golfer Victoria Shao ‘27 agrees with Degen, and notices that her team’s community has grown significantly over the past few years. Shao attributes the team’s community to help individual and team successes.
“Our team spirit and dynamic improved and many friendships became stronger or surfaced,” Shao said. “We motivated each other to become our best selves and to always have a positive mindset when playing golf.”
While Shao emphasizes the importance of team bonding and how it’s improved this year, Degen has noticed tangible change in overall outcomes of the girls’ golf season. According to Degen, the team saw major gains in terms of game outcomes and team community as the team won the Solheim Cup, formed little/big sister relationships, and overcame adversity by remaining focused on team goals, which is what allowed them to win their 8th NSC title and to go to State.
While Shao agrees with Degen on how successful the season turned out to be, Shao believes the girl’s team could’ve gotten first at state. Nevertheless, Shao remains content with the overall season.
“I did not expect the team to get second in state,” Shao said. “I knew with the skills and the amount of training we had gone through, we were more than capable of performing well. Even though we would have liked to get first rather than second, I am incredibly proud of what everyone did and I could never ask for a better team.”
Shao is looking forward to the future and becoming the best player she can be. According to Shao, her coaches and teammates have played an undeniable role in the team’s consistency and community during the season.
“Coach Degen has always been very supportive and caring for my teammates and I.” Shao said. “When one of us is having a bad day or a bad round, she makes sure to check up on us and talk to us to help us feel better and figure out what’s wrong”
Shao is grateful for the years she had on the golf team. She strongly appreciates the bonds she developed on the team and is grateful for the memories she has made.
“I cherish every moment with my teammates and I am so excited to spend the next two years with them.”
