Boardman's Carly Karzmer adjusts to role

Mooney senior Katie Dick is eyeing a trip to the state tournament.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Carly Karzmer isn't exactly sure what to expect from the 2003 high school golf season. She's been put in a precarious position.
The Boardman High senior is the only returning member of the Spartans' state-qualifying team from last season.
"Everyone's gone, pretty much," Karzmer said. "It's going to be really different this year because everyone graduated, but I'm still looking forward to it."
Team effort
Betsy Beraduce, Megan Yanik, Kelly Milton and Annie Frank, in addition to Karzmer, helped Boardman make a run to Columbus, where it finished 11th of 12 teams.
"We all tried to teach each other and give each other tips," Karzmer said. "Our captains last year did a really good job, making sure everything was organized."
Karzmer hopes to use the leadership qualities she adopted from the graduates and apply them this season.
"I didn't really want to think about it before," she said of the senior role, "but it's sinking in now."
In the two-day state tournament last season, Karzmer shot a team-best 89 in the first round before a second-round 99 left her at 188. Beraduce had a team-best 186.
"State really helped me because of all the people who were there," Karzmer said. "I used to get nervous when a lot of people were watching. At state, I wanted them to watch. It was a good learning experience."
By her own admission, Karzmer isn't long off the tee, so she benefits by scoring around the greens.
This summer, she's been shooting in the low 40s for nine holes but plans to reach the high 30s at season's end. In last season's Steel Valley Conference tournament, Karzmer fired 36 for medalist honors.
In that SVC match, Boardman's last before moving into the Federal League with Austintown Fitch this season, Karzmer edged Cardinal Mooney's Katie Dick by one stroke.
Mooney standout
Dick, a first team all-district selection last season, returns for her senior year, looking to be another of the area's top golfers.
The New Middletown native has spent most of her summer playing in tournaments, including Kenny Novak events.
"It's all coming together," Dick said. "I'm striking the ball a lot better and I've improved my putting."
But that's not all.
"A lot of the mental" part of her game has improved, Dick said. "Like course management and just maturing with the game.
"Last year I was able to shoot a good score one day and not the other," she said. "Sometimes, the mind gets in the way."
Dick, who works at Countryside Golf Course in Coitsville, often shoots in the high 70s for 18 holes. She has her sights set on winning the sectional and advancing to state for the first time.
"I think I should" make it to state, she said. "I've saved all the pressure until the end -- my last year."
richesson@vindy.com