Podraza leads Belles, ranks in MIAA list
SARAH RYKOWSKI
At Crystal Lake South High School in Illinois, Heather Podraza was one of two girls on the boy's varsity golf team.
She advanced to the state tournament.
Now Podraza is leading Saint Mary's golf squad in its second season as a varsity team.
She began her college career at Ball State University where she ran cross country but did not play golf. She transferred after her freshman year to Saint Mary's. Podraza was a major contributor to the team in its inaugural season and has high expectations for this season.
"It's been a good time [on the team]," Podraza said. "I've had fun getting to know the coach. The freshmen are really great this year. I'm happy I'm here. I love Saint Mary's College."
Last season, Saint Mary's golf team only had five members, one of whom was Podraza. In the first round of last season, held at Concord Hills Golf Club and hosted by Albion, Podraza and her teammate Mary Claire Hathaway led the team with scores of 100.
In the second round, Podraza led her team with a score of 88, shot at Alma's Pine River County Club. At Defiance's Kettenring Country Club, in the final meet of last year's season, Podraza again led her team with a score of 99.
This year, she scored a 99 at the first tournament, hosted by Alma, and then improved to a 96 at Saint Mary's home tournament, held at Brookwood Golf Course.
Podraza is ranked in the top 20 this season on the MIAA's list of League Leaders for women's golf.
"Heather is a very talented and wonderful person," said teammate and captain Kyle Veltri, one of three members, including Podraza, to return to the team this year.
"She's a pleasure to play golf with," Veltri said. "She has a wonderful personality and work ethic that's made her game very strong. Her influence pushes the rest of the team to work hard and play well."
Podraza gets her golf background from her father.
"My father was the junior varsity [golf] coach [at my school]. He is the reason I play golf," Podraza said. "He's been real supportive and helped me have fun playing golf."
Podraza's future plans after college include teaching high school English to freshmen and sophomores.
"[Golf] will definitely be a major pastime," Podraza said. "I would definitely like to coach."
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, September 22, 1999
