By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– The last three years have seen the emergence of the Salem Academy Girls Golf team into a juggernaut in the 4A/3A/2A/1A Golf scene.
Three years ago, the Crusaders saw then-freshman Alex Wilcoxen qualify for the State Tournament. The now senior finished tied for 18th that first year. Over her sophomore and junior seasons, she helped lead the Crusaders to back-to-back State Championships. Now they’ll look to run it back one more time in pursuit of a third straight State Title.
For Wilcoxen, it’s been crazy to see the development of the program to this point. It began with head coach Melissa Turner, who started laying the program’s foundation from day one. By Wilcoxen’s freshman year, she had already qualified for the State Golf Tournament as an individual, and just a few years later she stands as the top player in the classification.
“It was awesome to see the program grow and so many guys and so many girls that want to golf and get to do this,” Wilcoxen said. “I’m going to definitely work on the mental state of things (this season) I love the game, and I’m good at it, but the next thing that will take me to the next level is the mental side.”
Wilcoxen is the lone senior on the roster that features Chloe Johnston, Ellie Gladow and Sloane James. All are returning and all coming off a successful Spring last year. Wilcoxen finished 23rd at the State Tournament with James finishing 16th. Gladow and Johnston finished towards the top of the leaderboard with Gladow and Johnston finishing third and second respectively.
“It was great. It was great to see all my hard work pay off from the season and finally see it all come together there at the end,” said Johnston of her State Runner-Up finish.
“We’re just focusing on what we know we can do. We all love to play the game and we’re looking forward to doing it every single week, it’s so much fun,” adds Gladow.
Over the Summer as well, the squad went to the National High School PGA Invitational at Pinehurst Golf Course in North Carolina, finishing 29th as a team.
“It was always good to have the team together and we were together for like ten days straight, so that was really fun team bonding and stuff,” said Johnston, who finished tied for 74th in the Summer Tournament.
The squad enters the second week of the season preparing for their first round of the season on March 30 at Creekside Golf Course in Salem with the goal of once again defending their State Title.
“”I just need to focus on the next shot and hopefully the scores will continue to drop,” Gladow said.
“I think it’s really easy to get content, but for me, striving to be better everyday and showing up to practice, working hard and be the best that I can be,” adds Johnston.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
