Junior Lacey Snell is one of the hardest-working kids Greg Antrainer knows.
Antrainer, the Northwest girls golf head coach for the last eight seasons, says it shows.
“She is a very good striker of the ball,” Antrainer said. “She hits it clean almost every time. She is always practicing. She works at it.
“She does everything well, but her iron play is the best part of her game.”
Paced by Snell, who finished 20th at the state tournament, the Lions finished 11-1 overall last season. They also tied with Eureka and Marquette for the top spot in the Suburban West Conference at 8-1.
This season Antrainer expects that win total to dip a bit. The Lions lost sectional qualifier Alexa Christopher and Marquee Banderet to graduation, which he said will cost them somewhere from 20 to 30 strokes.
“We’ll win our share of matches,” he said. “But we’ll probably finish around .500.”
As of last week the Lions were 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the Suburban West. They posted wins over Fox and Pattonville but came up short against Lafayette, Seckman and Lindbergh.
Snell, who is averaging a 39, has medaled in four of the Lions’ five matches. Her 39 was the top score in last week’s loss to Lindbergh at Sunset Hills Golf Course.
“She has some high goals,” Antrainer said of Snell. “Her main goal is to be a state medalist. She is good enough to win it all. If she gets the putter working she will do really well.”
Right behind Snell is senior Cassidy Navo, who carries a 48 average. Antrainer said Navo, a second team all-conference selection last season, is a strong player.
“She has a very sweet swing,” Antrainer said. “She gives me 110 percent every time on the course.”
The Lions’ No. 3 player is senior Meredith Coffey. No. 4 so far this year is junior Kelly McDonald. Antrainer said both are averaging in the high 50s. Behind them is the team’s No. 5 player, senior Lindsey Pacinowski.
The team’s goals are simple and straightforward.
“We want to be competitive and improve in every match,” Antrainer said. “We just want to keep getting better.”
Snell averaged a 41 last year and earned all-district recognition. As a freshman, she made first team all-conference and finished 45th at the Class 2 state tournament.
This year’s Class 2 District 1 tournament is set for Tuesday at the Links of Dardenne, with the top two teams and top 15 individuals qualifying for sectional play. Antrainer is hoping Navo will join Snell in the sectional round, which is set for Oct. 3 at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington. The top two teams and the next 12 players not on one of the two state-qualifying teams head to the state tournament Oct. 10-11 at Columbia Country Club.