What’s next for the Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s golf team?
WHITEWATER, Wis. (BVM) — Oct. 6th, 2019, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s golf team punched their ticket to the NCAA Championship last May.
On March 12th, 2020, this opportunity was taken away due to the COVID pandemic and became a date these ladies will never forget.
“The seniors I had at workouts had to leave,” stated head coach Andrea Wieland, “They were paralyzed.”
Kelly Storti (Deerfield, Ill.), a senior, finished in 8th place at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship. Storti felt the pain this announcement brought.
“It was one of the worst experiences I have ever gone through and we had absolutely no control of it,” Storti said.
The difficulty of the news of not being able to compete at the NCAA Championship continued through the summer with the constant unknowns of what fall would look like. On July 27th, the WIAC announced the suspension of the women’s golf season until spring.
Thankfully, the WIAC championship was also postponed to the spring, so hopes are still alive for this talented Warhawk team.
Coach Wieland was excited for her team to get out on the course even despite the COVID-19 concerns. The fall was different from previous.
Whitewater was able to practice this fall. Negative tests were needed. Masks would be worn. Social distancing guidelines were followed. A few players, and even Coach Wieland, tested positive during this portion of their season.
“We have had to be more flexible and my players have had to practice independently more,” Coach Wieland stated.
The Wisconsin PGA hosted tournaments this fall for collegiate golfers who were unable to compete. This allowed for the Warhawk golfers to still compete.
The spring is full of unknowns. Restrictions and guidelines are rapidly changing, so now it is just about controlling what can be controlled and preparing the best they can.
“I am still practicing and training in hopes that there will be a spring season,” Storti said, “At this point, I feel like all we can do is hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”
Coach Wieland has one major goal for her group during this time away from the course.
“Becoming better people by being grateful for every opportunity we have together,” Wieland said. “The focus is to always win the conference tournament as a team, so we will not lose sight of that.”
With four individuals returning from the 2019 WIAC Championship team, this talented, veteran Warhawk team will be ready to go when the green light is given.
Until then, though, Coach Wieland is preparing her team for the spring by, “trying to take advantage of every opportunity we have to get better—as a person, as a student, and as an athlete.”
A true NCAA Division III championship mindset.
