CdM inherits a gem

BRYCE ALDERTON

The one sport Katie McKitterick didn’t play her freshman year at Sage

Hill School turned out to the be the one she wants to focus solely on

for the last three years of her high school career.

McKitterick, Sage Hill’s Girls Athlete of the Year as a freshman

in 2002-03, competed in tennis during the fall, soccer in the winter

and softball in the spring, showcasing her multi-faceted sports

drive.

But a summer of thinking, along with spending more time on the

golf course -- specifically Santa Ana Country Club -- changed the

sophomore’s outlook and she decided to transfer to Corona del Mar

High and concentrate solely on golf.

“As school gets harder, it will be better to focus on one main

sport and it helps me mentally handle other things,” McKitterick said

Tuesday following CdM’s victory over Pacific Coast League foe Tesoro.

“This summer I discovered I loved [golf] just to be out here playing

with my family and I have a great coach.”

At least once a week McKitterick plays nine holes with Geoff

Cochrane, Santa Ana’s head professional, who gives her tips along the

way. The two have worked together for 1 1/2 years.

“He has helped me learn to strategize,” McKitterick said of

Cochrane’s influence. “He helps me think things through and also with

the short game. I’ve just grown a lot as a player.”

McKitterick, who either plays or practices six or seven days a

week during the season, didn’t begin taking golf seriously until two

years ago.

Tennis was her first love. She began playing that when she was 10.

“Golf was something I played once or twice a year, but two summers

ago I decided I loved it,” McKitterick said.

As of this past summer McKitterick was ready to lead the

Lightning’s tennis team to the CIF Southern Section Division V

playoffs again, but a voice inside told her otherwise. McKitterick,

named first-team All-Academy League, won 53 of 57 singles matches

last fall as the Lightning advanced to the Division V quarterfinals.

“I had so much fun and was ready to have another good year,”

McKitterick said. “I loved my first year at Sage, playing with the

friends I met. But I heard so many good things about CdM and decided

that it would be a good place for me the next three years.”

The confirmation of her decision came when McKitterick met with

CdM golf coach Mike Starkweather.

“From the first day I met him I knew this season would be really

great,” McKitterick said.

McKitterick and the rest of the team that includes Katie Albright,

the defending league champion, along with Maggie Nelson, Caitlin

McDonald, Veronica Friedman, Jonna Kim and Michelle Albrecht have

already made history in this season’s early stages.

Twice in a week’s span the Sea Kings have set a school record for

lowest round of the combined five scores that are used. McKitterick

has already medalled and is consistently one of CdM’s lowest scorers.

She said the key has been a laid-back approach.

“The main thing is to have fun and be competitive,” McKitterick

said. “Katie Albright I met through [AYSO] soccer and Maggie Nelson

is a member at Santa Ana. Other than that, everyone else I met this

year. All of us support each other. We have so much fun no matter who

we play.

“I would love to do well as a team in CIF and individuals. Katie

Albright did so well in individuals last year, so it would be fun to

do as well as she did.”

McKitterick also eyes the coming years and where golf can take

her.

She said the benefits golf can provide in the future -- college

scholarships and business contacts -- outweigh the advantages tennis

might have offered.

“There are not that many girls that play golf, so there are better

opportunities to go to college,” she said. “Golf is a special sport

that is good for business and will benefit me throughout.”

The Sea Kings are already benefiting from McKitterick’s

performance.