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 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption:
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Aiming to Reprise Undefeated Season, PHS Golf Starting 2005 With No Fear
By Bill Alden
Fearless is the word Sheryl Severance uses to describe her Princeton High golf team.
Last spring, featuring a sophomore-laden line-up, PHS showed its grit when it won the Mercer County Tournament (MCT) by fighting WW/P-N to a tie in regulation and then prevailing in a playoff.
The Little Tigers built on that clutch performance by consistently showing grace under pressure as they went 17-0 in dual matches, achieving the program's first perfect season in recent memory.
As PHS coach Severance looks forward to her 11th season at the helm of the program, she believes her charges have the mettle to continue to succeed even though they will be wearing a bull's eye on their collective back.
"They feel some pressure but they are pretty cocky," said Severance, noting that her team won't be able to take anyone by surprise like it did at times last spring. "They don't see themselves losing. They went into every match last year thinking they were going to win."
With the bounty of talent on hand, it's no wonder that the Little Tigers feel good about their chances.
PHS boasts a bevy of skilled, battle-hardened juniors including Greg Heisen, Kyle Rasavage, Casey Huckel, Jordan Gibbs, Michael DiMeglio, Jason Barry, Michael Cho, Jason Doub, and Kyle White.
The Little Tigers also have solid players in sophomores Peter Teifer and Will Madden. In addition, freshmen Jon Bischel and Curtis Smith are showing early promise.
At this point of the season, Severance is expecting Heisen and Rasavage to again emerge as PHS' top performers.
In 2004, Heisen had a nine-hole average of 38.1 and represented PHS in the two-player playoff that decided the MCT. Rasavage, for his part, nearly matched Heisen as he posted a nine-hole average of 38.2.
"Greg and Kyle figure to be our top two," said Severance, noting that the team has only had a few practices and will be holding formal tryouts starting on March 28. "Peter could give them a run for their money."
But with the team's depth and experience, Severance believes that there won't be much of a gap between her top players and the supporting cast.
"Everybody played well last year," asserted Severance. "We had 38s and 39s throughout the lineup. In past years, I'd be dying for one 39."
Severance maintains that her players' commitment to the game has been deepened by the team's success last spring.
"They are all pretty much the same, playing golf is all they want to do," said Severance, noting that three of her players competed in an event at the storied Pebble Beach course in California over Christmas. "For many of them, it's the only sport they want to play."
The team's focus this season will be sharpened by its resolve to atone for its one bad afternoon last year when it faltered in the Group III Central Jersey/South Jersey state competition.
"The big goal is doing better in the states," said Severance, whose club shot a 343 so it didn't come close to qualifying for the Tournament of Champions. "They are already telling me that they want to bring that trophy home."
While Severance is far from certain that her team can recapture last year's magic, she can hardly wait to see how things play out.
"I'm not sure we can go undefeated again," said Severance, whose team starts its season by playing Lawrence on April 1 at the Peddie Country Club.
"We've added some different teams to the schedule and they could be very challenging. I'm really excited. I wish we could skip practice and go right into the season."
A sentiment that is no doubt shared by her fearless squad.
