With the program entering its sixth season overall, Chaminade Julienne high school’s girls golf team has steadily improved. With the progression of girls golf in the area they’ve had no choice, coach George Menker said.

“When I started coaching five years ago, the girls (in the area) were good. But every year the quality of the girls on all teams, it just keeps improving and improving. Compared to five years ago every team has improved,” Menker said.

Count the Eagles among the biggest movers.

CJ, 97-24 in five seasons of golf, is coming off its best one. The Eagles won the Division II state championship in 2011 —a three-stroke win over Poland Seminary — and should be loaded with talented players again despite the graduation of three golfers. Four seniors return and Menker is optimistic about his five freshmen.

“I think they have the potential to be just as good,” said Menker, who has guided CJ to the state tournament the past three seasons. “I don’t think the pressure will get to them. The four upperclassmen will be the base of the team.”

Senior Mikaela Hadaway is the Eagles’ No. 1 golfer after averaging 39 for nine holes and tying the school record with a 34. Junior Kaitlyn Cartone, freshman Ellie Cronin, senior Emily Poock and sophomore Sarah Downing are among the top five. Freshmen Lizzie Yeazel, Colleen Wagoner, Sarah Olszewski and Lili Kaminski are also in the hunt for playing time as CJ opens its season today.

Though they’ve been a program since 2007, the Eagles’ tradition of success has already been established. They have just one losing season, going 12-15 their first season, and have won 70 percent of their matches. Nine girls have graduated from the program and all nine have gone on to college.

“I’ve just had solid girls who are excellent students,” Menker said of CJ’s success. “They love to play golf and like to practice on their own. Last year I had one girl who would go out, and I wasn’t even aware of it, and practice on her own after school to Kittyhawk and practice her putting. (When I played) I didn’t have a club in my hand until I came out for the first day of practice my freshman year.”

Among area individuals, Tippecanoe junior Lindsay Murray returns after an area-best 10th-place finish at the Division I state tournament. Miami Valley School junior Sarah Kolodzik (4th at state in D-II), Alter senior Mary Rose Metter (8th at state) and CJ’s Hadaway (10th) are among the top golfers expected to contend again in Division II.