After last year’s success, the EHS golf teams weren’t sure of how the 2016 season would turn out. But as the season continues, the teams keep building up a reputation of their own.

Both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams are following up last year with an undefeated match season.

The girls’ win of 162-164 against O’Fallon on Sept. 20 at Oak Brook Golf Club was an accomplishment.

“We beat O’Fallon [Monday] night which was a huge win for the girls,” Coach Abby Comerford said. “They’ve beaten us a few times in some tournaments this year, so us being able to beat them at Oak Brook was really big.”

The streak continued throughout this week when the girls beat Granite City on Tuesday Sept. 20 with a score of 169-239 and Belleville West on Wednesday Sept. 21 with a score of 168-224.

Junior Addy Zeller attributes the girls’ success to the overall attitude of the team.

“I honestly think that our team being so supportive and close helps us relax on the cour,” Zeller said. “When you have that mindset and approach, it helps you shoot the scores you want and helps your team stay undefeated.”

Not only has attitude pushed the girls through the season, but hours have as well. Senior Kayla Weinacht agrees.

“We all have been doing well and practicing hard. Our team has a really great attitude towards everything, even if we don’t shoot well,” she said.

Meanwhile, the boys’ team repeatedly dominates matches.

They won against Belleville East 158-169 on Sept. 15, and continued their streak Sept. 21 by beating O’Fallon 149-154 who was undefeated prior to the match.

Going into the game, Coach Adam Tyler stressed the importance of focusing on the course instead of being intimidated by O’Fallon.

“We just try to stay as relaxed as possible…” Tyler said. “We go into each competition doing the same thing, no matter if it’s the state tournament or a practice, we take the same approach. We don’t try to play the players; we try to play the course.”

Much like the girls’ team, the boys focus on teamwork to carry them through each match.

“We know each other really well, so we aren’t only trying to play well for ourselves, but for our other teammates too,” senior Spencer Patterson said.

Both the boys’ and the girls’ teams improved on a personal level, benefiting their overall season.

Zeller worked hard off season and took lessons to accomplish what she wanted to in season.

“There is always something you can improve on,” she said. “I worked over the summer to become more consistent with my game and ball striking.”

Meanwhile, sophomore and first time varsity player Sydney Sahuri and junior Benson Tyrell took different approaches.

Over the summer Sahuri played every course she knew would be played in the year, and Tyrell made practicing a part of his daily routine.

“There was not a day that went by that I didn’t have a club in my hands,” he said. “My game has improved a ton over the course of the year.”

Tyrell’s work was rewarded when he broke both the Alton Tee Off Classic record and the St. Viator Invite record. He shot the lowest scores at each event with a 66 and 64 respectively.

With the level of focus and work of the players, both golf teams expect to continue what they started and end the season on a high note.

“As coach said, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” Tyrell said. “We are trying to take it day by day, but I think with a lot of hard work these next few weeks we have a chance to do something special, and possibly win State.”