Louisville Women's Golf -- Chapter 8 in Jared's History of UofL women's sports -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

A HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S GOLF

Happy Friday and welcome to another session of A History of Louisville Women’s Sports. We hit the two-thirds mark as we hit Chapter 8. Today, we look at Women’s Golf. For the rest of the article we will refer to them simply as “Golf”.

When Tom Jurich was first hired as athletic director at UofL in October of 1997,, he soon added three teams. Golf was one of those. Kelley Meyers (later Rothberg) was tabbed the head coach. Their inaugural season was in 2000, where they finished second in Conference USA. Katherine Mowat also won an individual conference championship while Meyers was named Conference USA Coach of the Year. She would lead them to an NCAA Regional the very next year.

In the fall of 2002, Louisville hosted its first Cardinal Cup, a popular tournament still hosted today. They competed at a golf course in Simpsonville, KY, then owned by University Clubs of America.

It wasn’t until 2006 when golf won its first conference championship, claiming the Big East title down in Florida. Adrienne White also won the Cards’ first individual Big East title that year.

Courtney Trimble took over as head coach over the summer of 2012. She held that position through this
most recent, before stepping down to enjoy life. The Cards have several seasons where they were ranked in the Top 25 under Trimble and advanced to the NCAA Championships in the spring of 2018.

Whitney WadeYoung will take over as head coach for the start of next season. She has been an assistant with Louisville since 2017.

The University of Louisville Golf Club has been around longer than many think. It was originally constructed in 2001 by University Clubs of America and Palmer Golf Management operates the facilities.  It was bought by Champions Way LLC in 2003 and they owned the place for about a decade. UofL bought the property in early 2014 and re-branded the facility as the UofL Golf Club. Both the women’s and men’s teams have used the facility since it first opened but have been able to officially call it home since then. The course is open to members and other events when UofL is not using it.

Many excellent golfers have stepped foot on campus over the years. Meghan Little was one of the biggest names early on. Little won several titles early on and competed in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Adrienne White was teammates with a little for a while and won a conference championship.

Cindy LaCrosse came in a couple years later and won a school record four tournaments in her career. She ended up with many other UofL records during her time. Sara-Maude Juneau and Laura Anderson are both in this decade and made headlines when they played internationally and combined to win four consecutive tournaments in 2009. Emily Haas came in just a few years ago and earned several Big East honors and owns the Cardinal Cup record at 209.

The 2019-20 squad features several golfers quite capable of shooting low scores. Returnees include Margot Bechadergue, Lauren Hartlage, Mairead Martin, Delaney Shah and Lauren Thibodeau. Their season takes place basically all year round and will start on Sept 9th in the Minnesota Invitational.

Hartlage recently qualified for her third straight appearance in the US Women's Amateur. The event takes place August 9-11 at the Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Mississippi. Thibodeau is listed as an alternate for the field of 156. 

We rarely get out to the UofL Golf Club to do live in-person coverage events like we do many other sports but the location is a beautiful one to visit. Make sure to head out to Simpsonville to see the Cards in action. Make a pit stop at the outlet mall to go shopping while out there. The adidas store usually has some affordable UofL gear in stock.

RADIO DAYS

Jared's Fan Club watching the show from across the street

You can catch the A-team on air for the second straight week tomorrow on The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour. .

The show starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and can be accessed many different ways.

www.wchqfm.com is the stations website and the show can be accessed there. It is also on Facebook Live. In the Louisville area, we're on FM at 100.9 and you can download the WCHQ app at the site and listen that way.


A bit of warning about our summer feature which you are welcome to participate in. A little bird is whispering in my ear that the Worldwide Cardinal Couple quiz MIGHT BE ABOUT MASCOTS.

Happy Friday and Go Cards

Jar-head

Bionca Dunham Interview -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

"B" IS PLANNING A SURPRISE FOR CARDINAL FANS

Wednesday morning found me on the UofL Belknap Campus, arriving safely after the pigs made a break for it on I-65 earlier in the day. The destination was the SAC Building and the new, spacious office of Louisville women's basketball S.I.D. Nick Evans -- located on the second floor of the multi-purpose building. 

The objective was an interview with student-athlete and rising senior Bionca Dunham. What ensued was a pleasant and informative 10 minute chat about her, her life, her beliefs and the revealing of a surprise about her and basketball. 

What is the surprise? Well, you'll have to listen to our chat at the link below: 

BIONCA DUNHAM INTERVIEW

Dunham's role on the 2019-20 version of the Cards is multi-faceted. Her rebounding will be essential. Her role as a leader will be needed and expected. 

The Philly native started 31 of 36 games last year for the Cards, averaging about 22 minutes a night -- fifth highest on the team. Her 7.6 points per game was tied for fifth-best on the squad (with Jazmine Jones)...and she grabbed 169 rebounds, which was third highest on the team.

We went with her nickname "B" during the interview and the Cardinal coaches and squad will "be" expecting "B" to "be" aggressive, a leader and a force in the paint. Her effort is certainly no "B" grade, though...straight "A's" for her in hard work, perseverance and dedication during her past three years is the determination of the facts, as I see it.   

Majoring in criminal justice, "B" aspires to "be" a crime scene investigator after giving professional basketball a whirl. Who knows, maybe she and Jaz will open a private-eye firm together---combing solving criminal cases along with a pretty effective inside-outside game. 

One thing is fairly certain, "B"'s effectiveness this final year for her could "be" a huge factor in Louisville getting to the Final Four. And, if her secret weapon comes full circle...a lot of opposing players and coaches could "be" looking at each other and asking themselves..."who done it"? 


(A special "Thank You" to Nick Evans for making the arrangements for the interview and the photos in today's article).  


Paulie
xxxxx

News on Norika....Around Campus -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Norika Konno at FIBA U19 World Cup

To start with, I just want to give everyone a heads up that “Norika” keeps wanting to autocorrect to “not okay”. Seeing that we will hopefully be talking about one of our newest women’s basketball players for the next four years go ahead and make note of that on your (not so) smart devices.

However, Konno is in the news for something good. FIBA released a list of 19 players to watch at the U19 World Cup at the end of July and the lone Louisville Cardinal represented was one of them. FIBA had the following to say about Konno:

“Intensity, speed, scoring, a three-point danger and always crashing the boards well for her positions, she can be a basketball dynamite on any given day.”

You can see Konno with Team Japan while Jeff Walz corrals Team USA. The event will be held July 20-28 in Bangkok, Thailand.( Let’s hope the Wolfpack from the  movie Hangover doesn’t decide to make a guest appearance)!

Welcome Back to Campus

I decided to check out what all the brouhaha was about surrounding these new electric scooters popping up on campus and in the city. You download an app, sync your bank card information and can ride around for so much money per minute. It’s pretty neat and gave me a great opportunity to explore campus earlier in the week.

During my travels it seemed summertime campus was not as quiet as it may seem. Several of our UofL teams are hard at work preparing for upcoming seasons. Field hockey had a full-on practice going on. Lacrosse was in the midst of a camp with Coach Teeter and his hat standing at midfield. I ran into Emina Ekic near campus, who told me they’ve been working on conditioning with lots of running. I didn’t stay to talk to her for more than a minute or so -- as my scooter was on the clock.

It’s nice to see players back on campus and teams preparing for the upcoming seasons. It means fall sports start soon and for us at Cardinal Couple, it can’t come soon enough!

Be sure to check back here tomorrow for Paulie's interview with Bionca Dunham.

Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

Jared

Dani Busboom Kelly headed to Ft. Lauderdale -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Volleyball Skipper To Coach at USA Volleyball High Performance Championships

Another UofL head coach, another USA gig. 

This time it's Dani Busboom Kelly but she won't have to travel nearly as far as Jeff Walz has to perform duties with student-athletes.

Busboom-Kelly will coach with the USA High Performance National Team athletes in Fort Lauderdale, FL from July 18-22. The competition is designed for Volleyball student-athletes that are looking to play against equally talented, top flight competition. The ultimate goal is the Olympics or the USA National team for the participants, as well as giving the coaches a chance to get more familiar with USA Volleyball. 

Dani coached the US Collegiate National team to a gold medal in July 2018 at the European Global Challenge in Croatia. 


Interesting to note that there will be three different types of volleyball at the performance championships...indoor, beach and sitting. 

We wish Coach Dani a safe and productive time in Florida. 


IN THE 'HUNT' FOR TRIO OF TENNESSEE HIGH SCHOOLERS

We don't "do" a lot of recruiting news here at CARDINAL COUPLE, but it seems that the Cards are interested a trio of girls who play for the same AAU team and are 2020 prospects. 

The three with 2021 recruit Raven Johnson after taking gold
in the 3X3 U 18 Championships. 

Madison Hayes, Treasure Hunt and Olivia Cochran all play for FBC Hunt on the AAU circuit. They were former teammates of new Cardinal Elizabeth Balogun. Cochran is currently ranked #21 in the ESPN HoopGurlz 2020 rankings. Hayes, who was also Tennessee's Class 3A Miss Basketball last year checks in with a #25 ranking and Hunt is listed at #36. 

Louisville has just one 2020 commit so far...6'1" Canadian standout Merissah Russell. 

The Cards currently have five players in their final year of eligibility on the 2019-20 roster in Jazmine Jones, Bionca Dunham, Yacine Diop, Kylee Shook and Jess Laemmle. Word on two of the three recent transfers into the program and their 2019-20 eligibility (Liz Dixon, Elizabeth Balogun) is expected in latter July. 


Have a teriffic Tuesday

Paulie
xxxxx 

Compiling a "Best of" list no easy task -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SHE WAS THE BEST AT...

When one looks at the 12 sports that UofL competes in for NCAA DI athletes, there are an incredible amount of athletes to consider over the years. In women's basketball alone, since 1975, there are almost 225 letter-winners.

So, to pick a "she was the best at" list isn't an easy thing to do. I'll offer some candidates, though, for each sport and give my pick. Feel free to chime in on your agreements and disagreements in the comments section. Since rowing and track & field are so heavily dependent on multiple and many student athletes to compile a result, I'll skip trying to pick a "best of" in those two areas. 

CROSS COUNTRY

I'll present the names Michelle Molodyna and Dorcas Wasike as a couple of candidates here but I think Wasike is the "best ever" in Louisville women's cross country. ACC Runner of the Year in 2018, All-American and lowest time in the 5K, she has a season left to compete. 

FIELD HOCKEY

There is one name that comes to mind immediately: Ayeshia McFerrran.  "The best goalkeeper in the world" gets my vote...but the offensive stats of Jessica Javelet (2003-06) and her record of 176 goals is worth noting. Nicole Woods made the All-ACC team three years in a row and that is an incredible accomplishment. I go with McFerran, though.

GOLF

Three viable choices here with current rising senior Lauren Hartlage, Cindy LaCrosse (2005-09) and Sara Maude-Juneau (2007-11). LaCrosse has the most "wins' by far with 3092, and the highest win percentage...so I will go with her but a strong senior season out of Hartlage could replace her. 

LACROSSE

I had to cut my list to five players here and they are all very good at what they did. Bergan Folly, Tessa Chad, Nikki Boltja, Kay Morissette and Hannah Koloski were leaders and stars. Maybe my pick here is a bit biased, but no one could take a game over like Kay Morissette (2013-16) and that's my choice, although one could make an argument for any of the five listed. 


SOCCER

Charlyn Corral (2012-13), Gabrielle Vincent (2015-18) and Christine Exeter (2010-13)  are three players that set the course of Louisville women's soccer excellence. Erin Yenney and Emina Ekic deserve recognition, too, for their UofL careers....but Corral accomplished so much in just two years -- it's hard to take anyone above her. 

SOFTBALL

Once again, a wealth of talent to choose from in two decades. Alicja Wolny (2010-13) and Melissa Roth (2007-10) led the team in batting for three years and Kristin Wadwell has the career pitching records in games started, innings pitched, shutouts and wins. Aja Sherman, Nicole Pufahl, Chelsea Bemis, Marysa Becker, Katie Keller and Tori Collins also had incredible careers at Louisville. I'll go with Wadwell, since pitching is maybe the biggest key in winning softball games. A tough call. 

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Not much competition here, as Kelsi (Worrell) Dahlia career at UofL speaks for itself. Mallery Comerford, Andrea Cottrell and Tanja Kyllianen all deserve a shout out of recognition for their accomplishments as student-athletes, as well.


TENNIS

Rebecca Shine, Julia Fellerhoff, Julie Guess, Meg Peavy and Mariana Humberg made my final five. Fellerhoff (2011-14) was All-Conference all four years at UofL (Big East and AAC) and also Freshman of the Year. She edges out Peavy, who had an incredible 100-20 record in three years. 

VOLLLEYBALL

Lola (Arslanbekova) Robison, Tess Clark, Katie George, Molly Sauer and Melanie McHenry accomplished many things and have received many honors at UofL. 2145 kills is a stat that will be hard to beat, though, and it was Lola who accomplished that from 2009-12.. She gets my nod as "best ever" in Volleyball . McHenry has been a strong force for three years, though, and a big senior season just might have her taking over as my "Best of". 

BASKETBALL

Angel McCoughtry, Asia Durr and Shoni Schimmel made my top three list here. 2779 points scored in a career will probably never be topped, though...so I go with #35 Angel McCoughtry. 

The skill, determination and hard work from McCoughtry these many years is something any basketball player can learn from and adapt as a guide to success. 





Got a different take on any of these? Let me know. After all, as we say on our radio show..."You are Cardinal Couple and we never forget that." 


Paulie
xxxxx

Wishing Well to the WUGs -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WUGs Wrapups

We've been covering the World University Games, which are formally called the 30th Summer Universiade.  "The WUGs" is so much more fun to say, though.

Alas, the games are wrapping up, with the last competition and closing ceremonies happening today.

Case covered the results for Molly Fears in Diving yesterday, graciously leaving me the volleyball competition to recap.

Of course, if you have read or tuned in to Cardinal Couple regularly, you know the Tori Dilfer was one of the setters on the women's volleyball team at the WUGs this summer as part of the US Collegiate National Team program.

The results, to my mind, were a little disappointing.  The US team faced 5 different opponents in 6 matches, and finished the competition in 9th place.

The format of the competition is a little unusual, but laudably designed to give every team a chance toplay the same number of matches.  16 teams are divided into 4 pools of 4 teams each.  After pool play a tournament bracket is seeded with all 16 teams.  At each match of the tournament bracket, the bracket is split in half with winners advancing to matches competing for higher finishes, and losers dropping to compete for lower overall finishes.  Coming out of a tough Pool D with Japan, Italy, and Switzerland, the US had a record of 1-2, meaning they were seeding in the bottom half of the bracket, competing for positions 9-16.  In the bracket, the US won out, beating the Ukraine to move up to competing for positions 9-12, Argentina to be able to compete for positions 9 and 10, and finally a rematch with Switzerland to win the 9th place finish.

Individual stats are not available for the matches, so we have very little feel for how Tori did with the team, but are confident she represented the Cards well.  We look forward to see her on the floor at "L&N Federal Credit Union Arena" nee Cardinal Arena in 34 days for the Red and Black scrimmage and in 41 days for her first official match as a Cardinal against Miami (OH).

Cardinal Couple Circus

I would say the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour went off the rails yesterday, but, really, I don't think it was ever on the rails to begin with.  Paulie, Case, Jared, and myself were in studio.

We had a lots of fun, oh so much fun, and ragged on Paulie quite a bit, but thankfully there are not a lot of sporting events to talk about.  We did catch up on some basketball news, mostly Cards in the Pros, with updates on Sam Fuerhing heading to Germany, and then veering wildly (though with connections every step of the way) to Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and the US Women's National Team in Soccer.

Strap in and check it out, and match up with us in the Cardinal Couple Quiz.

Case blew the bonus question and I won the quiz in the bottom of the ninth.



Link Below: 

https://www.facebook.com/WCHQfm/videos/467484750699733/

-- 

JMcA

Quick News Roundup -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

It's been a surprisingly busy week for current and former Louisville Cardinals across all sports considering we are in the heat of summer. I'll leave the volleyball news from the World University Games to Jeff for tomorrow, but plenty happened this week otherwise. Let's take a quick look. 

Swimming/Diving at the WUGs

Three former and current Cards took on the world in Italy during the World University Swimming and Diving events. Diver Molly Fears was the University of Louisville's first diver ever to compete for the USA. She ultimately finished 11th. Daniel Sos and Gregory Tarasevich represented Hungary and Russia, respectively. Sos finished 6th in the 200m IM and 19th in the 400m IM while Tarasevich earned a gold medal and two silver medals in the 100m backstroke, the 200m backstroke, and the 4x100 medley relay.

Hartlage Heading Back to Amateur Championship

Lauren Hartlage will be making her third straight appearance in the USGA Women's Amateur Championship after she finished tied for first in the Walnut Grove Country Club Sectional Qualifier in Dayton, Ohio. Hartlage shot a 3-under and, coincidentally, tied for first out of 75 competitors with a person right next to her in the alphabet. While Hartlage finished with a 69 on the 18 hole course, I shot a beautiful 64 on the par 3, 9 hole course by my house yesterday. I'd say I'm right on her heels. Fellow Cardinals Delaney Shah and Lauren Thibodeau will compete in their own sectional qualifier in Massachusetts on Monday. They'll be fighting to join Hartlage in the 156 player field for the tournament, which will take place August 5-11 at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Mississippi.

Fuehring Leaving the States

After being cut by the Washington Mystics, Sam Fuehring was unable to land a contract with another WNBA team for this season. According to her Twitter, Fuehring was quite frustrated with the fact that she had to get a job when she clearly believed that she should be playing professional basketball. This is a common trend for athletes (the Knicks should sign Russ Smith) and you can never fault them for believing in their abilities. Fuehring's call to the basketball universe was answered, as she has agreed to a contract with Eisvogel USC Freiburg in the German DBBL. Fuehring will join former Cardinal Peyton Siva in Germany, who has thrived in his opportunity in Deutschland. Siva recently resigned for a two year extension with Alba Berlin. Here's hoping Sam enjoys her time across the pond as much as Siva and can carve out a place for herself in the league.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

The A-Team is back in the studio today after a few mix and match weeks. Daryl will be down on the Waterfront getting her Forecastle on (stay hydrated all you hooligans heading out there), but Paulie, Jeff, Jared, and I will bring you the joy and excitement of Louisville women's sports during the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour. We'll have plenty of news and prognostications to discuss, and we'll even have the patented Worldwide Quiz. Tune in to WCHQ FM at 11AM via 100.9FM, the WCHQ App, wchqfm.com, or on Facebook Live.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-