Ferris State Women's Golf Adds Four Talented Additions
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's golf program has bolstered its lineup for years to come as FSU recently announced the addition of four talented additions who will join the program.
FSU head coach Kyle Wittenbach and his staff have brought in the talented quartet of Alayna Eldred (Osakis, Minn.) along with Dani Staskowski (Pontiac/Notre Dame Prep), Hope Thebo (Big Rapids) and Lauren Kempf (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs). Both Kempf and Thebo are currently midst their prep senior campaigns while Staskowski is a freshman transfer from Central Michigan and Eldred will be a sophomore in eligibility after transferring from the University of Minnesota.
"I'm thrilled with this class of recruits and they'll have a big impact on the future of our program," said Wittenbach. "All four are talented additions with the ability to contribute in our lineup and we're looking forward to having them as Bulldogs moving forward."
Eldred was homeschooled in Minnesota, but competed on the Osakis High School team before starting her collegiate career at Minnesota. The daughter of Jon and Sharon Eldred, her low competitive round is a 67 and among her most memorable career highlights is winning the 2014 Resorters Match Play Tournament, which is one of the largest amateur tournaments in Minnesota. She was the youngest player to win the event in 98 years of tourney play at the age of 14.
"I am beyond excited to become a Bulldog and I feel very grateful for the opportunity Coach Wittenbach and Assistant Coach (Kylee) Sullivan have given me to continue my education and golf career at Ferris," she said. "I look forward to representing the Bulldogs with pride and passion in the classroom and on the golf course. Go Bulldogs."
Wittenbach said, "Alayna will bring good experience and knowledge from her time in the Big Ten Conference to our program. We are thrilled have her join us and contribute to our growing relevance on the regional and national scene in DII Women's Golf."
A 2019 graduate of Notre Dame Prep Academy in Pontiac, Staskowski started her collegiate career at Central Michigan. The daughter of Maureen and Darryl Staskowski, Dani shot a two-under 70 at an amateur event in Rush Creek, Minnesota. She was a three-time individual high school state champion in Division 3.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to join the outstanding Golf Program at Ferris State, and I'm really looking forward to becoming part of the Bulldog Golf family," Staskowski said.
"Dani's biggest asset is that she knows how to win," said Wittenbach. "That's a pretty special strength. She fits in with our culture and mentality really well and we are excited to have her join us."
Thebo, who's a Big Rapids native, is the daughter of Tim and Kelly Thebo and will be a freshman this coming fall. She has posted a low competitive score of 74 and won the Katke Classic prep event in a playoff on the third hole.
"I am grateful and excited to be joining the Ferris State golf team and to have the opportunity to continue to play the sport I love in my hometown," Thebo said.
Wittenbach said, "Hope is a strong athlete with a stronger work ethic. She will do well here as a Bulldog. Hope is the type of person any coach would want on their team."
Finally, Kempf will also graduate this spring from Jacobs High School in Illinois. The daughter of Mike and Kim Kempf, she's shot a two-under 70 score in her career and placed second individually in the conference championships.
"I am grateful and excited to be a part of the FSU golf team and look forward to working hard and contributing to the team," she said.
"Lauren has a solid game and winning attitude," Wittenbach said. "There is no question that she will make our program better in many ways."
The Bulldogs got off to a strong start this past fall, winning two team championships and earning runner-up honors once during the fall season. FSU is slated to open the spring campaign March 5-7 at the Saddlebrook Spring Invite in Tampa, Fla.