Four to Watch this Fall

Tennis and golf are a little different than the other fall sports. For the top competitors in these sports, the high school season is almost like an off-season. After spending the spring and summer playing regional or national events, the school-sponsored golf and tennis seasons are times to regroup, in an arena with less pressure, and enjoy the company of teammates once again. But, let's be honest; a Kansas state title would sit well in anyone's trophy case. Gillian Hush of Kapaun Mt. Carmel seeks her third individual state tennis title and third straight team title; Independent golfer Callie Kemmer goes for a second consecutive individual state title; Hutchinson's Courtney Ringler looks to one-up her semifinal berth at the state tennis meet last season; and Derby golfer Cammi Stith will try to crack the top 10 at state after placing 11th in 2006. Gillian Hush, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Hush spent the summer touring the region's hard and clay courts, making stops in St. Louis, Norman, Omaha and Kansas City before wrapping up summer play in California. As the No. 3-ranked player in the USTA Girls' 18 Singles Missouri Valley region (includes Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska), Hush qualified for the USTA National Championships played in Berkley, Calif., August 5-12. She advanced to the Round of 64 in singles and 32 in doubles. Last season she swept through her high school schedule undefeated. Hush won the Class 5A state singles title match 6-1, 6-4 over Maureen Rielley of Bishop Miege. As a sophomore in 2005, she teamed with her sister, Rachael, to win the doubles state title. (After winning the doubles title again last fall, Rachael now plays at Marquette.) In both 2005 and 2006, Kapaun won the team title. Coach Dan Leddy knows he has one of the region's most elite players. "She has a strong serve and can pop in on ground strokes. She has an ability to get to the ball; she can volley and play at the net," Leddy noted. Callie Kemmer, Independent After a summer of junior golf tournaments, Kemmer returns to the high school links as the defending state champ in Class 4-3-2-1A. At the AJGA event in Abilene, Texas, in July, Kemmer was tied for first place after three rounds of play before placing second after a playoff. She also placed in the top 13 in three of four other AJGA events she played. In early August, Kemmer represented the state of Kansas at the Big I Junior Classic, a prestigious national tournament held this year in Boise, Idaho. Kemmer also placed sixth in the Kansas Women's Amateur at Reflection Ridge in June. Her dad, Andy, says she's ready for the high school season. "The pressure is gone from the summer. She gets tired," he said. "It's fun to finally be at home and for her to play for the school." Callie's brother, Dodge, enters his junior season at Stanford, as the Cardinal come off their spring 2007 NCAA national title. Callie will make her own official visit to Stanford sometime this semester to consider playing there next year. But for now, she's excited about high school, and she will have teammates at Independent this fall after playing alone in 2006. "It's more relaxed. And we're actually going to have a team this year." Courtney Ringler, Hutchinson After placing fourth in the Class 5A state singles tournament last fall, Ringler is set on medaling in 2007. "We'll see what the competition is. I'll need mental toughness to grind it out. I've been hitting lots of balls this summer," Ringler said. She played several summer USTA Missouri Valley region events and spent a week at the Mike Wolf Tennis Academy in Overland Park. She and her dad, her main instructor and playing partner since age 12, also played in two father-daughter doubles competitions in Chicago and Boston. Hutchinson coach Vance VanPelt can't say enough good things about her. "She's an athletic kid... and she puts in more time than others. (After practice) after dinner she'll go out and hit again. She hits with the guys all summer long; she enjoys the extra competition." Ringler is a very cerebral player. She asks the right questions and listens to VanPelt's advice before translating it into results on the court. Ringler hopes to find a small school in California at which she can play college tennis next year. Cammi Stith, Derby Most area fans knowledgeable about high school sports know Cammi Stith as the quick, elusive point guard on the Derby High basketball team. But Stith frequents the Derby Country Club and Braeburn, too. The Derby golfer won her league and regional golf tournaments in 2006 before placing 11th at the state meet. "She's a strong player and has great work ethic," said Derby coach Robert Ash. "After practice, she practices some more. She goes up to WSU and works on her wedges at their short-game area." Stith traveled to a couple tournaments this summer, one in Phoenix and another in Florida, a three-day tournament that included players from all over the world. "I missed the cut, but it was a good experience playing different courses in a different atmosphere." This fall, she's going for a top five finish at state, which is at Wichita's Auburn Hills.