What many find inspiring about sports is there is always a new year to improve from the previous. A fresh start is almost always guaranteed and the Park University’s Women’s Golf team is taking advantage of this new beginning.

The team, which is led by second year Head Coach Steve Wilson, has high expectations for the future.

“I expect for our team to improve each week that we play,” Wilson stated in an email. “I expect the team to be competitive by our spring season and improve on our fourth place finish from last year’s AMC tournament. We have talent to put forth a very good front five.”

Experienced players that are used to the system can be important and Wilson has four returners.

“I expect our seniors, Kelsey Faiferlick and Lindsey Vest, to provide leadership and set the tone for how we work to get better,” Wilson stated. “Makenzie Shivers will also compete for a top spot and will help us lead, and Madi McDaniel needs to work hard to come back from injury.”

New players keep athletic programs moving forward as well. Wilson said he is pleased with his recruiting class for 2014-2015 year.

“The new players are really energetic and have already formed relationships with our returners,” he stated. “It’s going to be an exciting time because we’ll have nine student-athletes who like to get out and work hard on the golf course to get better.

“It’ll be the biggest roster in the history of this program with nine student-athletes and it’ll be very competitive; playing time isn’t taken for granted now (and) it certainly won’t be in the future.”

Wilson said he is ready for year two to move forward quickly.

“I think I learned about how to keep the kids from getting too frustrated with themselves on the course,” he stated. “That comes from tempering my own expectations of each shot and asking more questions when talking through a shot or situation.”

Next tournament for the Pirates will be Monday, Sept. 15, at the Ottawa Fall Invitation in Lawrence, Kan.