The temperature may still feel like summer, but fall sports are officially here. The girls golf team enters the 2025 season ready to compete and continue improving. The Warriors are coming off one of their best seasons since 1990, and with only a few seniors graduating, the future looks bright. Four of the top five golfers return to Westside this year, determined to build on last season’s success. They’ll be joined by 11 more athletes, rounding out a strong and promising 2025 roster.
Although the Warriors are focused on improving their game and competing this season, there are many other parts of golf that make the season memorable. For sophomore Audrey Nielsen, the excitement goes beyond the scorecard. She looks forward to the team’s talent and, most of all, the strong bond they share with one another.
“I’m most excited about our team this year!” Nielsen said.
Fourth year head Coach Hellman talked about how his team is looking going into the new year.
“We have a lot of talented players to watch this year. Chloe DiPrima is coming off a great sophomore season where she placed fourth in the state, and after a solid summer, she’s ready for an amazing year.” Coach Hellman said.” Addison Benge had an impressive junior season with a top-10 finish at the state tournament and will be a critical piece of our success. We also look forward to sophomore Kendall Lauritzen elevating her game after an impressive freshman season. The rest of the varsity team to start the season will include Lily Gutta, Hadley Reagan, Audrey Freeman, and Audrey Nielsen.”
Along with this, coach Hellman is also very excited for the season and especially to build an even stronger team culture.
“One of our main objectives this season is to strengthen the team culture.” Hellman said.
The fun thing about coaching girls sports is all of the fun and diverse personalities. At times this can really add to a team and at other times can create drama.
“A unique challenge in golf is the wide range of ages and skill levels,” Coach Hellman said. “A 14-year-old freshman might be competing for a spot against an 18-year-old senior. This competition is what makes Westside Golf special, but it can also lead to negative interactions if not handled correctly. We continuously reinforce our team motto: “We > Me.”
Over the summer and during the off-season, many of the girls compete in individual golf tournaments. Because the high school season takes place in the fall, it can be a tough turnaround to shift from playing individually to competing as a team. Still, the Warriors are determined to build chemistry and support one another, even if it looks a little different than in more traditional team sports.
“Obviously we wanna make state but that’s the goal every year.” Nielsen said.
“But me personally I wanna see our team grow and come together as one unit working towards the same goal; supporting each other and improving on our golf game. We’re getting there now especially because we have three great team captains who work hard for our team.”
Junior Chloe DiPrima is coming off an incredible sophomore season, during which she finished 4th in the state. She shared how she has prepared for the upcoming season.
“I prepared for the season by practicing and playing many tournaments to get myself ready for the competing side of the season. I also read many books to get me mentally prepared.”
The girls golf program continues to grow, and with the Warriors’ combination of talent and motivation, they have all the puzzle pieces to make a great team.
“It’s common to see younger players with more advanced skills than some of their older teammates.” Hellman said. “When players approach this dynamic with an open mind and a focus on the program’s success, it’s a beautiful thing to watch. However, jealousy or a lack of support for teammates outside one’s social circle can hinder our goals. The girls on this team have already shown they belong with the best in the state, and they are committed to building a program that younger girls in the district aspire to join.”
Coach Hellman, who has coached both girls and boys golf at Westside for many years, has gained a deep understanding of the sport and an even greater appreciation for the challenges of coaching it.
“The new girls are excited for the opportunity, and Coach Harriger and I are thrilled to be starting our fourth season together.” Coach Hellman said.
“We have a clear roadmap for success, but we also know that every year presents new challenges. I’ve learned to enjoy the journey, trust the process, and believe that the results will follow.”
The Warriors will start their Fall 2025 season this Thursday, August 21st, at the Miracle Hills Invitational, with hopes of starting the season off strong.
