Third Time
Around

Republic’s girls golf team opened its season September 3 at the MSU Relays in Springfield with just three players on the roster. One of them has been to the state tournament twice.

Jenna Smith enters her senior season as the clear leader of a small Lady Tiger squad. She has qualified for state each of the last two years, and coach Curt Plotner said she’s put in the work to make it three in a row.

“Jenna has qualified for state the last two years and is receiving college interest,” Plotner said. “She has continued to get better each year, and she has worked hard this offseason as well. She has done well in tournaments this summer, and I look for her to continue to improve throughout the fall. I would expect her to have a successful senior season.”

Smith’s two teammates are both new to golf. Sophomore Chloe Priebe joined the team this year, and Plotner said she’s caught on quickly.

“For someone that is new to the game, she has done a great job,” he said. “She has a good foundation to build off of, and she is really committed to getting better each day.”

Freshman Eliza Scullawl is also picking up the game for the first time.

“She asks a lot of questions and is a quick learner,” Plotner said. “Although she is new to golf, she is a good athlete that is going to pick things up really quickly. She has already shown improvement … and I would expect that to continue throughout the fall.”

With only three players, Republic won’t be able to post a team score at tournaments, so the season will be measured player by player. Plotner said Smith has helped bring the newcomers along — she’s “done a great job of working with the two new girls.”

“My goal for all of them is to be playing their best golf at the end of the year,” Plotner said. “They have been a really fun group of girls to be around, and I am looking forward to the next couple of months.”