By Bobby Narang
Less than one month into the season, the Benet Academy High School girls golf team is on a roll.
The Redwings returned just a small handful of players from last season, most notably Reagan Rodenbostel, but that hasn’t stopped them from having a breakout season.
So far, Rodenbostel is part of a strong senior group that’s managed to lead the Redwings to a unblemished 8-0 record in dual meets. The Redwings took third place in the Vern McGonagle Memorial invitatational at Naperville Country Club in August in their only non-dual of the season, and look to be a key contender in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Benet head coach Mike Bremner said his team is playing quality golf.
“I’m really pleased with our team so far this season,” Bremner said. “Most of the girls on this team have really worked hard to get to the point they are at. Besides Reagan, and maybe Olivia Ruffalo, none of my top seven to eight contributors this year are girls that have always been a part of the varsity. They are girls who started out shooting in the high 50’s and 60’s as freshmen, and have slowly and steadily improved to the point where I have six girls averaging under 50, and nine under 52.”
Rodenbosten, a senior, has played at a high level, and shooting 38 and 42 in victories over Joliet Catholic and Nazareth Academy. Meanwhile, senior Grace George shot 41 in each of the wins. Ruffalo, a junior, fired 37 against Joliet Catholic.
Bremner credited his seniors, Rodenbostel, George, Abigail Doyle, Emily Budzynski, Lauren Lukitsh, and Ryann Johnson-Wojnicki for helping make a difficult and unique season so memorable this early.
“Abby has shown tremendous improvement over the last four years,” he said. “She’s now our second or third best player. She has a tremendous work ethic. Grace George has slowly grown into her own on the course and off. She’s been playing really good golf. Emily brings a solid game, and is capable on any day of being in our top four.
“Lauren broke 40 for the first time in a match last week against Joliet Catholic with 39. Ryann Johnson-Wojnicki has also steadily improved each year. She’s a great kid and really good at helping the younger teammates feel welcome and supported.”
In addition, Ruffalo has been a key performer for the Redwings according to Bremner.
“Olivia (Ruffalo) has put up really good numbers for us at times this year, and when she plays consistently and cleanly, she can really golf,” he said. “We will need her to play well this year to win some of our more competitive matches, especially to have a chance in our conference tournament and the regional. Moving forward, she will be our most experienced returning player next year, but we aren’t waiting until next year to anticipate big things from her.”