Ilea Schneider
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Samantha Hitner |
Kentucky Wesleyan women’s golf has signed five high school standouts from Kentucky and Indiana for their 2008-09 recruiting class, as announced by Panther head coach Brent Mathew.
Ilea Schneider played five seasons at Hancock County High School in Lewisport, Ky. where she shot 96 as a senior and helped the Hornets to the All Class "A" Regional Championship with a 8-3 record in the Fall of 2007 for head coach Victoria Schneider. Her intended field of study will be chemistry or biology for the pre-medicine program. She is the daughter of Michael and Victoria Schneider of Lewisport.
"Ilea strikes the ball very well and has all the skills," Mathew said. "She has worked hard on her game and was very competitive this past season in high school. Ilea must add strength to adapt to the college distance and get stronger. She comes from a golf family and will improve with time."
Lexi Estes, a three-year letterwinner at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky., finished 43rd in the state championship and eighth in the regional tournament as a senior in 2007 for head coach Paul Lamb. She set the school record for most medalist honors by winning seven of 11 tournaments and best season scoring average of 38.2 for nine holes. Estes will major in biology or chemistry for the pre-dentistry program. She is the daughter of Derek and Jill Riley of Calvert City.
"Lexi comes to us as an instant impact student-athlete and a possible number one golfer for us," commented Mathew. "She is very strong in all aspects of the game with a lot of tournament experience. She is long off the tee and a great iron player also.
Courtney Wallace during her three-year career at Heath High School in West Paducah, Ky. led the Lady Pirates and head coach Jimmy Long to three undefeated seasons, two regional championships and three trips to the state tournament including two seventh-place finishes. She averaged an 80 as a senior and an 85 in her career and finished fifth in the regional tournament as a senior. Her intended academic major will be mathematics. She is the daughter of Micheal and Tracy Wallace of Paducah.
Mathew stated, "Courtney is the second from the Paducah area connection and a southpaw that brings us a potential number one golfer to our program. She has been on the fast track from the beginning nearly five years ago. Courtney really hits the ball off the tee and is strong on the green as well."
Amy Staples from Trimble County High School in Bedford, Ky., played the number one position for several seasons. She is the daughter of Larry and Ruth Staples of Bedford and will major in chemistry or biology to enter the pre-pharmacy program.
"Amy will compete right away for one of the top spots on the team due to her total game," Mathew added. "We are excited to add her into the program and feel her potential has a wealth of upside to it."
Samantha Hitner, a two-time all-conference performer and four-year letterwinner at Floyd Central High School in New Albany, Ind., averaged a 44 for nine holes as a senior while guiding the Highlanders to conference and sectional titles along with a 17th place finish at the state championship. She ended fourth in the sectionals for head coach Mike Cason. Her academic major will be elementary education. She is the daughter of Donnie and Nina Hitner of New Albany.
"Samantha brings a great deal of potential with a very fundamentally sound game," says Mathew. "She is tall with a great swing and a passion to increase her distance off the tee. Sam has the potential to break the top 5 in our program very soon."
