Sunnyslope is well known for its students’ academic and athletic achievements.
With such a large variety of sports and clubs, it’s hard to believe that our Girl’s Golf team wasn’t established until just a little over a year ago.
Girls Golf Coach Jens Erie explained “It took 70 years for this school to have a girl’s golf team… this is our second year with the team and we now have 7 girls.”
But the long overdue establishment of the team was really all thanks to one determined freshman.
Junior Caroline Gibson “always had raw talent as a golfer,” Erie explained, “even as a freshman when she tried out for the boy’s team she played well.”
You heard that right: because there was not yet a girl’s team here at Slope, Gibson tried out for the boy’s golf team.
Although she didn’t make it, she didn’t stop there.
“Mr. Matteson, Caroline, and myself worked together her entire freshman year… to create the [girl’s] team,” Erie said.
Now, Gibson is the first girl from Slope to make State.
“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity and the experience it gave me,” Gibson explained, “I am extremely proud of how far I’ve come.”
This is undoubtedly a huge achievement for Girl’s Golf, Sunnyslope, and especially Caroline, given that only 18 of the best individual girls get to participate in the State tournament; naturally, her coaches and teammates are extremely proud.
On top of being a consistent and hard worker, Caroline is encouraging and kind hearted, earning the admiration of her teammates.
“She’s really kind and plays the game with integrity, so she has the respect of her team,” said Erie.
“[Caroline] is encouraging and positive,” Teammate Iliana Wallack stated, “she always tries her hardest.”
Teammate Kelsey Coy said, “[Caroline] has always known how to make other people laugh… she inspires me to work hard and improve at golf.”
Caroline is just as proud of Kelsey and Iliana as they are of her.
“Having my friends there was an extremely important part,” Gibson said, in response to being asked how she feels supported by her team, “it has been great to watch us all grow throughout our [season].”
Whether it’s on a team or in her personal life, Caroline is a strong, loving, and determined individual; wherever she goes, she manages to inspire people.
“I think the most inspirational thing about [Caroline] is her bravery,” said Junior Kiera Tinard, one of Gibson’s closest friends, “she tried out for the boy’s team our freshman year because Sunnyslope didn’t have a girl’s team…even though she didn’t make it, she continued to push through to create Sunnyslope’s first Girl’s Golf team!”
Caroline showed fearlessness and persistence, and it’s clear that her hard work paid off, even in moments where she didn’t feel so brave.
“When going out for the boys team I was terrified,” Gibson explained, “I knew that they were much better than me and I was new to all of it so I didn’t know what to expect.”
However, Caroline’s determination and love for golf allowed her to contribute to establishing Slope’s first Girl’s Golf team.
“Her consistency is what got her to State this year,” said Erie.
“I’m extremely proud of what she has accomplished. We all should be proud of her.”
