2008 Urbana Women's Golf Preview
By Jessica Fallen
Urbana University Sports Information Intern
The weather is getting warmer and spring is all around and it's time for some golf. The Urbana University women's golf team has a lot of work cut out for them this spring season and they are up for the challenge.

"We're going to be competing in four invitational and then competing in the AMC Championship," said Blue Knight women's golf coach Jacque Howell. "We are playing in four places we've never played in and it is going to be new to us."

Urbana University athletics will be making a move to NCAA D-II soon, but before they do, they will still compete with the best of the AMC.

"With the girls that we have, I am confident that we will be a strong competitor in the AMC Championship," said Howell.

Cortney Ertel, a sophomore from Woodstock, Ohio, is Urbana’s top golfer back for the spring.
"Cortney is my number one player right now," said Howell. "She stays consistently in the low 80's. This fall she shot an 82 in one tournament and was medalist in another. She is getting more confidence in her putting."

Cami Anthony, a junior from Miamisburg, Ohio, was the first member of the team to sign when the program first started. She lowered her average by seven strokes this fall.

"Cami has a strong mental prowess and stays really calm on course. You cannot look at her and know how she is doing because she stays calm," said Howell. "She is consistent and that is really important."

Becky Rutan, a junior from Mechanicsburg, Ohio, has dropped 20 strokes from her average in two seasons. She did not start competing in golf until her senior year of high school.

"What Becky has accomplished in her last two years here is incredible," said Howell. "She is strong and athletic, and is new to the game of golf. She is extremely competitive and works really hard."

Coach Howell says her fourth and fifth players on the team are neck in neck in standings. Sophomore Jenna Swihart and junior Shelby Buck are only separated by a 10th of a point. Swihart, from Waynesburg, Ohio, has dropped five and a half strokes off her average. Buck, of South Charleston, Ohio, is in her third season with the Blue Knight golf program.

"Jenna has a great short game," said Howell. "Jenna understands the game and does not let playing bad effect her. She just keeps working and has a great attitude.

"Shelby is a great player and when she is working hard and on her game no one can beat her,” added Howell.

Freshman Julie Stratton and junior Kendra Billenstein will also be competing this spring. They are working hard and Howell is confident in their abilities. Stratton, of Springfield, Ohio, redshirted her freshman season. Billenstein, of Ansonia, Ohio, is in her third season.

"Julie has had the chance to play at a lot of different places," said Howell. "She has a great attitude about the game and is a very strong competitor. Kendra is very strong on the course and keeps improving every year and she is an extremely smart player.”

Along with all the returning girls there are some great freshman preparing for their shot at competing once fall season gets under way: Katie Rupley of Toledo, Ohio; Julianne Howell of Enon, Ohio; and Kate Smart of Bellefontaine, Ohio.

"My freshmen will not be competing in the spring invitational but they are great players. Katie is my top freshman. She does not show emotion on the course and does not get intimidated," said Howell. "Julianne is a very strong player," added Howell. "Kate is a great listener. She continues to improve and does not complain about working hard."

Spring season is going to be a chance to compete and improve and the Urbana girls are ready for it.

"The girls are really ready to compete and play,” said Howell. “The tough part about the off season is getting on a course so this is a going to be great for the team.”

The Blue Knights open the spring 2008 season this Friday and Saturday at the Capital Purple and White Invitational at Foxfire Golf Club in Lockbourne, Ohio.

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