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Clay City celebrates Senior Night with win over South Putnam
As Clay City girls golf head coach Elissa Daniel put it, “It’s been tough this season for us.”
Clay City entered Thursday’s dual match against visiting South Putnam winless. And with the sectional championship tournament scheduled for next week, Daniel knew the time was ticking on her group leaving the course victorious.
But as fate would have it, the Eels picked up their first win of the year on the best possible evening, as the program honored its three seniors – Marlee Blankenship, Ella James and Addie Schopmeyer – and celebrated the hard work they’ve put into the team over the last four seasons.
“Tonight was a good night,” said Daniel.
Even better?
Clay City followed its coach’s instructions perfectly.
On the eve of Senior Night, Daniel told her group they needed to get as many players’ scores as possible into the 50s to give themselves a chance to knock off the Eagles.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Clay City (219) had seven – James (51), Blankenship (56), Schopmeyer (56), Libby Zurcher (57), Emily Swearingen (56), Ashley Harrison (57) and Kailyn Tucker (52) – of its nine golfers, which included the four that were scored against South Putnam (242), turn in rounds in the low-to-mid 50s, resulting in the first win of the season.
“I told a lot of them that we needed to get their scores into the 50s, and they did,” said Daniel. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement, which bodes well for next year too … but I am also pretty pleased with how most everyone played tonight. It’s the first time this many have gotten into the 50s on the same night.”
During the Senior Night festivities, Daniel also announced her plans to retire at the end of the season, an avenue the longtime leader of the Lady Eels had been contemplating for a while now.
And to ensure the program is transferred over seamlessly, Daniel brought Ryan Swearingen, who is expected to take over the reins in 2025, in as an assistant this fall. It’s allowed Swearingen to connect with the roster while also giving them a different look at practice, which has paid dividends recently, noted Daniel.
“Ryan Swearingen is going to take over for me next year, and he’s been really working with them. I think with him in charge, they’re going to do some big things. They’re going to be really competitive,” Daniel said. “We’ve been able to split up the team during practices, which has given us more one-on-one opportunities, and I attribute that to the improvement we’ve seen lately.”
With Daniel’s announcement to retire at the end of the season being made official, she said Thursday’s Senior Night was extra sentimental for her knowing it was the last time she’d get to honor a class that’s made a lasting impression on the program.
“I’ve been with this group since they were freshmen, but this one is a little extra emotional for me because this is my last year. I’ve gotten to know them and their families, who have been so great,” said Daniel. “Being a part of this program is the best thing that I’ve done in my teaching career. I’m just glad we got to end it on such a positive note like tonight.”
She expects more tears to fall over the next couple of weeks when the reality of her retirement sinks in. But for now, Daniel is focused on getting the Eels prepared for next week’s county rivalry match with Northview and then the sectional tournament a few days after that.