A little competition can be a good thing. A lot of competition can be better.
The Helias Lady Crusaders are hoping a lot of competition will lead to a successful golf season.
"We've got eight or nine girls who are battling for spots on the varsity and that's great," Helias coach Dan Mathes said as the Lady Crusaders prepared for today's season opener at the Oak Hills Golf Center. "It's going to be very competitive throughout the season and I'm looking forward to that competition because it should only make us better."
One spot not up for grabs is No. 1. That belongs to senior Alex Nelson, a three-time all-district performer who has qualified twice for the state tournament.
"We expect her to be our steady player out there, the player that we know is going to post a quality score," Mathes said. "She's very consistent and level-headed, she's not an emotional player."
Nelson just missed out on advancing to state as a junior, taking 18th at the sectional.
"I know she'd like to get back to state as a senior," Mathes said.
Among the others fighting for varsity spots are seniors Claire Kehoe and Emily Eskens, juniors Reese Hamilton and Audrey Boessen, and sophomores Skylar Nelson, Jayden Ralston, Kassidy Neuner and Natalie Beck.
"They're a great group to be around, a great group to coach," Mathes said. "I think it's going to be an enjoyable year."
Greta Hines, a freshman, is also in the mix.
"Shes pushing really close for a varsity spot as we head into the season," Mathes said. "When she gets her feet under her with some JV matches, we'll see if she's ready to move up."
Hamilton was 16th at districts and 49th at sectionals last year.
"She's played pretty steady, she got some good experience last year and that will only help her this year," Mathes said.
Skylar Nelson, Beck and Kehoe also played in the district tournament as the Lady Crusaders took sixth as a team.
"We expect everybody to improve from last year," Mathes said. "We should be a very good team in tournaments this year because of the quality of our depth. I don't think top-five finishes, even with the quality of our schedule, is out of the question.
"If somebody doesn't play well, there will be somebody right there to take their spot. And that's great."
One addition to the schedule this season is the AAA Tournament. Helias will be joining the conference as a full-time member next season.
"The kids get a chance to earn all-conference honors, which is nice for them," Mathes said. "And I'd like to see us win the conference tournament. We won the North Central Missouri Conference in our second or third year and we'd like to make a quick statement in the AAA."
That is one of five tournaments on the schedule.
"We've got a couple of girls who can shoot in the 80s and a couple more who can go in the low 90s," Mathes said. "You can be very competitive with scores like that."
Helias will face Centralia, Southern Boone and Father Tolton in a quad at 4 p.m. today.