The 2024 season for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights girls’ golf team was one filled with incredible moments, personal bests, and a strong sense of team unity. Led by varsity coach Sylvia Stibley and JV Coach Evan Lentz, the teams concluded the season with an amazing result of 5th place in the Suburban League for varsity and a great record of 6-1-1 for JV, celebrating both individual and collective accomplishment.
Coach Stibley highlights a standout moment from the season: “Cassidy winning the playoff hole at sectionals with a birdie to advance to districts was a true highlight.” She expresses immense pride in her team, noting that their growing confidence stems from the tremendous effort they put in during practices and individually.
Looking ahead, Stibley emphasizes a key goal for next season: “We aim for the team to demonstrate the best composure on the golf course and to defeat North Royalton in the conference.”
Coach Lentz reflected on the highlights, saying, “There were many highlights from the season. First, meeting the team and realizing right away that it was an awesome group of girls. Finishing the season 6-1-1 and having some awesome scores throughout the season from all of the golfers was incredible.” He also praised the impressive performances by the JV players who were called up to compete in varsity matches and the incredible shots made by golfers from 30, 40, and even 50 yards out.
A key aspect of the team’s improvement was their performance on short shots, specifically those from 50 yards and in. “At the beginning of the season, our putt scores were on the giver’s side. By the end, our putt scores dropped significantly,” Lentz noted. The focus on these areas, along with building team camaraderie, helped the girls progress both in skill and attitude. “The team camaraderie was a real bright spot for the team. All of the girls, regardless of grade level or ability, were having a great time at practice and matches, and getting along with everyone,” Lentz added.
Looking ahead, Coach Lentz shared his goals for next season: “The goals are to continue with another strong record and to have golfers achieve some PR scores throughout the fall. Also, having JV girls ready to move up to varsity for some matches is always a goal.”
Several players reflected on their personal achievements and challenges throughout the season. Alaina Liem, a sophomore on the varsity team, highlighted her birdie chip-in at sectionals as a key moment that helped her improve her mental game. “I think the team has improved greatly with a new coach this season who had great dedication to the team,” Liem said, adding that her goal for next season is to have a better mental game and break into the 80s.
Tori Quinones, a junior on varsity, celebrated her personal best of 43 on nine holes and acknowledged the close bonds formed within the team. “We didn’t only beat teams, we also grew friendships, and it was such a fun group of people to be around,” she said. Her goal for next season is to shoot in the low 80s for 18 holes.
On the JV side, Keira O’Malley, a sophomore, shared that her putting was a highlight of her season, while driving proved to be a challenge after focusing more on improving her irons. “The golf team is one of the most fun teams I’ve been on in my life. Everybody’s welcome, even if you’ve never swung a club before,” she said, emphasizing the supportive and welcoming environment of the team.
Senior JV player, Alex Czajkowski, reflected on her final season with pride, noting her impressive 50-foot putt for par on the last nine holes of her high school golf career. “It’ll be one of the most important moments of my golf career,” she said. She also acknowledged the challenges of playing in difficult weather conditions, but praised the positivity and support of her teammates.
Varsity captain Cassidy Klodnick, a senior, shared her pride in winning a medal at the team’s first tournament and making it to districts. “I think the overall score of the team got much lower, and everyone hit new PRs this season,” she said. Klodnick also highlighted the mental challenges of staying consistent during long tournaments but found success by focusing on the next shot. She is excited to pass the captaincy to Alice Cho (Junior) and Lila Beebe (Sophomore), two talented underclassmen who she believes will lead the team to further success next year.
Sophomore Diya Anand, another JV standout, reflected on her growth since her freshman year and the strong bond among teammates. “The team has definitely grown closer and more supportive-like a family,” she said. Anand credited her teammates’ tips for helping her improve her short game, and she expressed her gratitude for the coaches’ guidance and support.
Lila Beebe, a sophomore on varsity, was proud of finally scoring in the low 90s and being nominated for captain by Klodnick. “I think that we have all become a lot closer as a team, which I’m really happy about,” she said. Beebe aims to score in the 80s next season and continue to grow as a team leader.
As the BBHHS girls golf team looks ahead to the next season, they are prepared to build on their achievements, foster deeper team connections, and continue their journey of improvement and growth. With a mix of returning talent and new leadership, the future looks bright for this exceptional group of athletes.
