NORTH MANCHESTER - First-year coach Jody Shewman looks only for the basic things as she tries to build a competitive golf team at Manchester.

"We're very young," she says. "The biggest thing we're going to work on is keeping our average down. Just learning more about the game - some of them aren't sure what to do here or what to do there."

Manchester, which has five returners on its roster of seven, has had one practice this season. Heidi Wieland, Jodee Ruppel, Tasha Cox, Becky Marcum and Demara Knight are the returning golfers. Wieland is the only senior, so Shewman has a chance to build for the future.

Katie Parker, a junior, is a newcomer. Parker plays basketball and softball, and now she's trying to add golf to her list. Shewman said Parker hasn't golfed much before, but she also said she has a good shot at being one of the five to make the varsity team. Shewman likes what she has seen from Parker after one practice.

Also on the team is freshman Kasha Wieland, Heidi's sister.

Shewman says the No. 1 spot, which was held by Heidi last year, is open for competition.

"It could be a tossup among three girls," Shewman says. "Right now I have no idea who will be our No. 1."

Manchester opens at Plymouth on Aug. 22.

WHITKO WILDCATS

Whitko went 8-4 last season, and head coach Mike Cox has several returners.

Melissa Sands, Molly Arnold, Cari Ostrom, Carrie Reiff and Brianna Waybright - last year's top five varsity golfers - are all back. Cox also expects a few others to join the team.

Whitko placed last in the Huntington Invitational last Thursday, shooting a 521 over 18 holes.

Editor's note: these previews are the two remaining teams yet to be featured. [[In-content Ad]]