Gazette MVP: Coleman is E-Mae-zing for Highland golf

When Elizabeth Mae Coleman was younger, the Highland senior golfer was given the nickname "E-Mae" by her father, Brent. That nickname eventually evolved into "E-Mae-zing" from personal swing coach Mike Emery, and "E-Mae-zing" saved some of her most amazing feats for her final season with the Hornets. Coleman broke two Medina County records this season. She beat the score against par mark with a 9-under-par 63 at Fox Meadow Country Club to win the Medina Bees Invitational. She did that on the way to breaking the county scoring record with a 35.19 nine-hole average. Both were previously held by Coleman's former teammate, Isabella Goyette. "Highland golf has been one of the greatest things that I've ever done," Coleman said. "To be able to finish off my season with a couple different records is really cool. I almost never would have thought of that when I was just a little freshman coming in to play. It's cool to see how much I've grown in my game." In her 24 18-hole rounds this season, Coleman fired 15 rounds under par, leading to playing the season at a remarkable 28 under. The Ball State commit broke 70 in her first four events and never slowed down, shooting in the 60s nine times. The last came at the Tanglewood Division I District, where she shot 5-under 67 to lead the Hornets to the state tournament for a sixth consecutive year. At state, Coleman shot 8-over 148 in two rounds on Firestone Country Club's Fazio Course to finish seventh and earn her second consecutive All-Ohio honor. Her efforts helped Highland finish fifth as a team. "She's obviously played really well this year," Hornets coach Mary Becker said. "She set records. She belongs up there with the Jessica Porvasniks and Isabella Goyettes. She's had a great career. "Sometimes you forget that the first competitive 18-hole round she played in was as a freshman. The amount of distance she's covered in these four years is amazing to me." Of the 24 events Coleman played this season, she was medalist in 14. Along with all four Suburban League American Conference tournaments and two triangulars, Coleman was medalist at the Stow Lady Bulldog Invitational (69), Brunswick Tee-Off Classic (68), Lady Panther Invitational (65), Walsh Jesuit Invitational (70), Canterbury Invitational (71), Medina Bees Invitational (63), Christine Terlesky Memorial (70) and the Tanglewood District (67). The Medina Bees Invitational was most notable. After beginning with a bogey, Coleman sank eight birdies and an eagle on her second-to-last hole en route to becoming the first county player to shoot 9 under. While Becker has to spend her time monitoring and advising six golfers, she doesn't get to see Coleman too often, but there was one telltale sign that something remarkable was happening. "What I listen for is her following," Becker said. "She has this incredible following, her grandparents, her mom and dad, her friends. Anytime her grandpa lets out one of these big cheers, I know she's done something amazing. "I heard a lot of those big cheers that day, so I knew she was doing something pretty special." There were no secrets to the two-time Gazette MVP's success this season. After finishing second at the state tournament last year, Coleman was determined to take her game to the next level. "It all started back in January," she said. "Over the winter, we have a simulator in our basement that I would hit off. I did some strength training, which got my swing speed up and helped me hit the ball farther. "Over the spring and summer, I practiced six times per week and played in a bunch of different events. That really prepared me for this season." That work began with conversations between Coleman and Becker about how to create more birdie opportunities with better approach shots and honing her putting to capitalize on those chances. "It's about knowing how the wind is blowing, hitting uphill or downhill to find greens in regulation inside of 20 feet to have a realistic chance of making birdie," Becker said. "I don't know if I've ever had a player have a better stat for greens in regulation." What makes Coleman stand out even more is that while she is incredibly determined and focused on her craft, she is about as far from a cold competitor as one could get. "She is one of the sweetest kids you would ever meet," Becker said. "She's very humble. She's the first to tell her teammates congratulations when her teammates play well. She's a great role model. When we're doing something with our youth golf, she's the first one to show up to help younger kids." The degree that she cares about her teammates shines brightly for Coleman. Through all of her individual accomplishments and accolades, the first thing on her mind about this season was her and teammates Mirabella Shelton, Kate Vickerman, Miley Tylicki and Allie Miller, all seniors, making it to the state tournament. "All of the girls on the team have known each other for years," Coleman said. "We're all really close friends. Since it was our senior year, we really wanted to enjoy every moment. It made it really special that we could all make our senior year a great one." That mission was accomplished and it was a dream fulfilled for Coleman. "Ever since I was in third or fourth grade, I looked forward to being able to play on the Highland golf team," Coleman said. "It was my goal. It's been an amazing experience. I've loved all the people I've gotten to meet." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.