After putting together a strong 12-5 overall record and finishing 7-1 in the Chagrin Valley Conference a year ago, the Edgewood Warriors Girls Golf team enters the 2026 season with experience, depth and plenty of optimism.
Head coach Christina Fischer begins her ninth season leading the program and welcomes back three starters along with two additional letterwinners from a team that produced multiple postseason qualifiers. With a young roster that continues to develop, Edgewood has the pieces to remain in the conference race while building toward another postseason run.
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The Warriors were led in last year’s tournament play by Annie Johnston, who finished second at the Division II District Tournament before placing 18th at the OHSAA State Tournament. While Johnston has graduated, sophomore Payton Lamson returns after an outstanding freshman campaign that included a third-place finish at sectionals and a 19th-place finish at districts.
Lamson averaged 45.1 over nine holes and 89.8 over 18 holes last season, and Fischer believes an impressive offseason has positioned her to take over the team’s top spot.
“I’m excited to see Payton compete as a sophomore, having great experiences last season in regular and postseason,” Fischer said. “She has challenged herself in the offseason to improve her game. She is ready to fill the role of our No. 1 golf position.”
Junior Sophia Fenton has also elevated her game after an offseason dedicated to improvement. She posted averages of 61 for nine holes and 120 for 18 holes last year and has already earned the No. 2 position in the lineup.
“Sophia has put in a lot of time and effort in the offseason,” Fischer said. “She has earned the two-spot for her offseason dedication and has already improved on where she was at the end of last season, and will continue to get better.”
The middle of the lineup is anchored by fellow juniors Bella Welton and Arianah Saunders.
Welton averaged 58 over nine holes and 122 over 18 while gaining valuable varsity experience over the past two seasons.
“Bella has had two years of good experience,” Fischer said. “I have confidence that she will step up and be a team leader. She continues to develop her game and is getting stronger.”
Saunders averaged 60 for nine holes and 118 over 18 during limited action.
“Arianah played in about half of our varsity matches last year,” Fischer said. “She will continue to improve with more experience at the varsity level.”
Freshman Catalina Pantoja is one of the program’s intriguing newcomers. Although this is her first high school season, Fischer has already seen encouraging signs.
“I’m excited to see her compete and gain experience,” Fischer said. “She has shown signs of promise in our early golf practices.”
Junior Emily Forbes, who averaged 63 for nine holes last season, also provides additional experience and depth as the Warriors look to develop consistency throughout the lineup.
Fischer believes Edgewood has the talent to compete with anyone in the conference if the team stays mentally sharp.
“I think we can be competitive in our league if everyone plays their game and can stay mentally focused,” Fischer said. “As far as postseason, Payton’s experience last season and her tournament experience this summer will help her chances in the sectional and district tournament.”
The coach says success will come down less to physical ability and more to trusting the work the team has put in.
“The mental part of the game will be key to our success,” Fischer said. “If each individual does their part, without putting too much pressure on herself, we can be very successful. Many of them have worked in the offseason, and they have to trust the process, themselves, and each other. If they all do that, they will be successful.”
While the Warriors suffered a setback when expected senior Carly Kray suffered a torn ACL during summer basketball and will miss the season, Fischer believes the adversity could pay dividends in the future.
“The exciting thing about this group is that they are young and can continue to grow together,” Fischer said. “I was only going to have one senior, Carly Kray, but she tore her ACL in summer basketball and cannot play. So we will not lose anyone at the end of this season and can continue to get stronger as a team for the next two years.”
If Edgewood’s young core continues its upward trajectory, the Warriors have the potential to contend for another conference championship while laying the foundation for sustained success well beyond 2026.
