Girls golf preview: Brunswick, Highland aiming for state tournament

Talent will be plentiful in the Medina County girls golf scene this fall, with eight of last season's top 10 players returning to the tees. That begins with reigning Gazette MVP Elizabeth Coleman of Highland. The Ball State recruit finished second at the Division I state tournament and is poised for another strong season as Highland looks to extend its streaks for Suburban League American Conference championship and state appearances to six. The Hornets will be buoyed by honorable mention All-Gazette choices Mirabella Shelton, Miley Tylicki and Allie Miller. Meanwhile, Brunswick added firepower to a lineup that turned in a stellar 2024 campaign, as freshmen Emma Gonzalez-Ribble and Bri Behrend will complement All-Gazette players Ellie Gonzalez-Ribble and Jess Buzinski and honorable mention choice Rylee Roth. The only county team with a longer conference winning streak than Highland is Cloverleaf. The Colts are under the leadership of first-year coach Grace May and looking for a 10th straight Metro Athletic Conference title. Medina and Wadsworth look to continue to build under second-year coaches Laura Stauffenger and Steve Ferris, respectively. Here's a closer look at the county's five teams: Brunswick Coach: Chad Thompson (3rd season, 3-3 record, 39-17-1 overall including boys). Last season: 2-0 non-league, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Greater Cleveland Conference tournaments (2nd overall), 3rd of 18 at Big Met Division I Sectional, 11th of 16 at Brookledge District. Home course: Bunker Hill Golf Course Key letterwinners lost: None Letterwinners: Jess Buzinski (All-Gazette, sr.), Ellie Gonzalez-Ribble (All-Gazette, so.), Rylee Roth (HM All-Gazette, jr.), Autumn Muslusky (jr.), Teigan Dryer (jr.). Newcomers: Emma Gonzalez-Ribble (fr.), Bri Behrend (fr.). Noteworthy: Coming off their first district qualifying season, the Blue Devils were committed to playing competitively this summer. Thompson expects that to pay off with players ready as soon as the season starts. l Brunswick has serious opportunities to win its first league title and reach state for the first time. Cloverleaf Coach: Grace May (1st season) Last season: 10-0 Metro Athletic Conference, 1st MAC preseason and postseason tournaments (1st overall), 5th of 14 at The Elms Division I Sectional, Quinn Malarkey 59th individually at Brookledge District. Key letterwinners lost: None Home course: Bunker Hill Golf Course Letterwinners: Quinn Malarkey (HM All-Gazette, jr.), Avrielle Dalton (sr.), MacLaine Bell (jr.), Cameron Todd (so.). Newcomers: Kora Klinect (fr.), Jaelynn Holmes (fr.). Noteworthy: Malarkey (43.4 average) was an individual district qualifier, while the Colts fell just one stroke shy of making it to Brookledge as a team. l May was a four-time state qualifier for North Canton Hoover and finished her senior season at Grace College in the spring. Highland Coach: Mary Becker (19th season, 106-37) Last season: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st Suburban League American Conference tournaments (1st overall), 1st of 14 at Fox Den Division I Sectional, 4th of 16 at Brookledge District, 4th of 12 at state tournament. Home course: Pine Hills Golf Club Key letterwinners lost: Avery Albright (All-Gazette), Kendall Sprutte (All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Elizabeth Coleman (Gazette MVP, sr.), Mirabella Shelton (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Miley Tylicki (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Allie Miller (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Kate Vickerman (sr.) Newcomers: Anna Wynne (sr.), Caroline McKendry (sr.), Penny Dykeman (jr.), Charlotte Chester (so.), Anna Coleman (so.). Noteworthy: Elizabeth Coleman (36.1) will lead Highland again, but where everyone else will land is a work in progress for a senior-laden lineup. l Coleman, the reigning Gazette MVP, was leading the state tournament entering the final four holes before finishing three shots back. l Chester (knee) is likely to miss extended time. Medina Coach: Laura Stauffenger (2nd season, 6-1) Last season: 6-1 non-league, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd Greater Cleveland Conference tournaments (3rd overall), 7th of 18 at Big Met Division I Sectional Home course: Fox Meadow Country Club Key letterwinners lost: None Letterwinners: Corinne Christeon (sr.), Lily Zimmerman (sr.), Marissa Nugent (sr.), Madison Roose (jr.). Newcomers: Rachel Coleman (sr.), Honor Hlavana (fr.). Noteworthy: Seniors of Christeon, Zimmerman and Nugent will be team captains. l With numbers climbing to 12 at tryouts, Stauffenger is emphasizing communication and the ability to recover from a bad shot or hole. Wadsworth Coach: Steve Ferris (2nd season, 2-5, 17-12 overall including boys) Last season: 2-5 non-league, 7th, 7th, 7th, 7th Suburban League National Conference tournaments (7th overall), 14th of 14 at Fox Den Division I Sectional. Home course: Pine Valley Golf Club Key letterwinners lost: None Letterwinners: Macy Tiger (sr.), Natalia Vujas (sr.), Michelle Witschey (jr.), Caroline Kresowaty (jr.), Jillian Jones (so.). Newcomers: None. Noteworthy: The five letterwinners give Wadsworth a strong nucleus to build from. l Morgan Zuk will assist Ferris, who is also the boys coach. His son, Owen Ferris, is a boys assistant. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.