GAM

DETROIT — The Wayne State University Department of Athletics recently added women’s indoor and outdoor track & field in 2012-13 and another program will be making its debut this fall. The women’s golf program will open the season at the LSSU Invitational on Sept. 15-16 for its first ever competition. Head coach Mike Horn takes over a roster made up of six student-athletes including an initial signing class of five. Alexandra Lee (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Pioneer), Chloe Luyet (Plymouth, Mich. / Canton), Shannon McNamara (Lansing, Mich. / Mason), Nikki Mollohan (Milan, Ohio / Edison) and Amanda Noakes (Battle Creek, Mich. / Lakeview) will all compete immediately as freshman. Erin Williams (Brighton, Mich. / WSC Academy) was added in August to round out the roster.



Coach Horn will be assisted by Meredith Weaver and Deanna Alfredo.



Indianapolis will host an invitational on Sept. 21-22 in Camby, Ind. at Heartland Crossing. WSU will travel to Allendale, Mich. for the Gilda’s Club Lake Fall Invitational on Sept. 27-28 at The Meadows. Findlay will host the Beall Fall Classic on Oct. 12-13 at the Findlay Country Club. The Green & Gold conclude the fall season with the Malone Invitational on Oct. 18-19 in Massillon, Ohio at The Legends of Massillon Golf Course.



The spring slate will begin on March 21-22 in Perry Park, Ky. with the Perry Park Spring Fling hosted by Lewis at the Perry Park Golf Course. Ohio Dominican will host an invitational on March 29-30 in Blacklick, Ohio at Jefferson Country Club. WSU will compete at the Tiffin Invitational on April 12-13 at Mohawk Country Club before heading to its first GLIAC Championship on April 24-26 at Findlay Country Club.



The NCAA D-II Super Regionals are set for May 3-5 in Joliet, Ill.



Coach Horn sat down with Assistant Media Relations Director Cameron Weidenthaler to discuss the upcoming season and starting a new program.



CW: What are the biggest challenges of starting a new program?

MH: The biggest challenge is to find quality young ladies! Everyone I talked to said that there are not enough ladies interested in golf at the college level. We found six pretty good ones. They are not only good people but good students, good golfers and ready to go to the next level! We are excited about 2015 already. I guess we were just lucky! 



CW: What are you selling when you talk to prospective student-athletes?

MH: I am selling the opportunity, the great education and the athletic success! Also for the first six ladies, an opportunity to play right away. We play at Detroit Golf Club, what a great place to play and practice.



CW: Talk about the incoming class and what you expect from the group?

MH: Six talented young ladies. Let’s see how they develop! How hard are they going to work? How hungry are they to become great? With the help of our coaches, I think they are going to progress quickly and I think we will be better than a first year program in a lot of areas. Amanda is a very good player already. She will most likely be our leader on the course! Alex is right behind her. She is underrated and quite the player as well. Nikki, has the most potential that is ready to bloom. She needs just a few minor tweaks and she can be great. Shannon is all about golf! I think she has the biggest love of golf. Let’s see where that takes her?! Chloe has a lot of game for a small lady. If we get her stronger, she has an unlimited upside!



CW: What are you expectations this season?

MH: We are going to test them right away with great competition and hopefully build on small victories! Personal bests, team goals each event. Championship expectations will soon be in place, though this first semester we will work on the process of playing college golf, hard work and dedication to the game.