Girls golf: Same old situation

Joseph Boo

CORONA DEL MAR - It’s another year, but it’s the same Corona del

Mar High girls golf team.

Technically speaking, the Sea Kings are fortunate enough to return the

same lineup from last year’s squad that finished second in the CIF

Southern Section team regionals and seventh in the finals, and that bodes

well for Mike Starkweather’s crew this year.

But everything isn’t set in stone for CdM. The Sea Kings have to deal

with senior Allison Schauppner and her dual knee surgery.

Riding around a cart to help her aching knees, Schauppner went all the

way to the CIF individual qualifying. She just ended rehab, but

Starkweather isn’t sure when she’ll be ready to play.

“She hasn’t been playing much golf,” Starkweather said. “Hopefully,

we’ll get her back into position to help the team, but you really can’t

rush this. We just have to help her along and get her back on track.”

Thankfully for CdM, it welcomes the return of the Sea Kings’ other CIF

individual qualifier in senior Taylor McCormick. Starkweather is hoping

McCormick and Schauppner get noticed by collegiate teams this summer.

She will be joined by sisters Kristin and Jackie McCoy, two stars on

CdM’s basketball team. Another basketball player, senior Mijanou Pham,

returns for her third year on the team, while sophomore Jennifer Woo

enters her second varsity season.

All four had a big part of CdM’s success last year, and according to

Starkweather, they have they been playing a lot of golf over the summer

in an effort to improve their games.

The fact that all the Sea Kings played with each other is an obvious

benefit for Starkweather.

“They’re familiar with each other’s game,” Starkweather said. “When

they play in foursomes, they can help each other out.

The Sea Kings hopes familiarity among themselves helps them close the

gap with University. CdM finished behind the Trojans in the Pacific Coast

League and the CIF regionals last year.

“We just want to play against them as strongly as we can and make it

to CIF again,” Starkweather said.

Corona del Mar’s girls golf roster

Coach: Mike Starkweather

Stephanie Kendrick Jr.

Taylor McCormick Sr.

Kristin McCoy Sr.

Jackie McCoy So.

Mijanou Pham Sr.

Allison Schauppner Sr.

Jennifer Woo So.