The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1190316
82 ■ THE WOLFPACKER to be the same, you can actively be part of change and [think], 'I myself can create the change and you become empowered.' "I'm seeing that with Monika and seeing that with Mim as they are the oldest." Six of the 10 golfers come from other countries and that also requires some time to adjust. "They are young adults in a different en- vironment who get moved from their family home," Marsh said. "It's very different man- aging the demands of the language, culture and team golf in a new team setting." Hartl has the top returning average from last year with 74.19 strokes per 18 holes in nine tournaments. Klimentova was fourth on the team at 76.23 and Singkapong was fifth with a 76.42 clip. "Lea was the youngest as a freshman [last year], so she had to learn a brand new environment, culture and so many things," Marsh said. "It's like you are drinking out of a fire hose." Hartl posted three top-20 finishes and one top-10 mark last year. "It's a young group, but they are filled with enthusiasm and love," Marsh said. "You really feel that with them, their warmth and love of the game. "They are competitive and enjoy com- peting, which is huge. You have to love to compete." A pair of freshmen — Inja Fric of Slo- venia and Natalie Armbruester of Switzer- land — were among the top five NC State golfers this fall. Marsh called all five new- comers "relentless about their courage and passion for the game." Fric redshirted a year ago due to injury, but her rehabilitation and training is ongo- ing. Armbruester had a "gap year" after high school, so she's a little more experi- enced at being away from home. "We are deep because Inja did not play [last year] because she was injured," Marsh said. "She was adapting very quickly. I'm very proud of her because she had to take care of her injury. "She and I talked about how in life we have to take care of things that crop up in order to go farther." Marsh simply stated that the team has pretty good down-the-road potential be- cause they have the ability to "allow each other to be." "That is how you can really go a long way," Marsh said. "I'm excited to see where they keep going. They chose to play in the offseason and that shows their love of the game." ■ Sophomore Lea Klimentova had an excellent fall, dropping her stroke average 2.23 shots from last year to 74.00. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS Three Golfers To Watch Junior Monika Hartl Hartl has impressive academic credentials, being named to the 2019 All-ACC academic squad. She finished second on the team last year with a 74.19 scoring averaging. The Bamberg, Germany, native finished tied for 19th in her first NCAA Regional, shooting a 1-over-par 217. She was second on the team this fall with a 74.33 scoring average. Sophomore Lea Klimentova The Bratislava, Slovakia, product played in seven tournaments last year, finishing with a 76.23 stroke average. Her best showing was being tied for 15th at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. She's improved by 2.23 shots this past fall, averaging 74.00 strokes per round. She finished tied for third at the Landfall Tradition Oct. 25-27, shooting a 1-over-par 217 in Wilmington, N.C. Senior Mim Sangkapong The lone senior on NC State's roster, the Nonthaburi, Thailand, native transferred from Gardner-Webb following her freshman year. After competing for NC State in the spring of 2018, she averaged 76.42 strokes her first full season with the Wolfpack as a junior. She competed in nine of the team's 10 tournaments, with her best finish tying for 18th at the Bryan National Collegiate. She averaged 74.55 shots in three tournaments this fall. ■ Key Matches • At Puerto Rico Classic, Feb. 9-11 in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico — NC State finished 13th out of 14 teams last year at this event. Then-sophomore Monika Hartl was lights out on the last two days to finish tied for seventh. • At Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate, Feb. 16-18 in New Orleans — The Wolfpack finished 12th out of 18 teams last year. Lea Klimentova and Laura Kowohl finished tied for 41st overall. • ACC Championship, April 23-26 in Pawleys Island, S.C. — NC State finished tied for ninth last year with 902 shots, with departing senior India Clyburn leading the way at tied for 20th overall.