Sports
Athlete of the Week: Emily Lejman
Lemont's top girls golfer is the first pick for the recurring weekly series focusing on athletes from many sports.
Earlier this season, Lemont senior golfer Emily Lejman shot a 79 against Homewood-Flossmoor in the Co-Ed Classic Invite. That’s an impressive feat for any golfer, regardless of gender.
It was also the first sub-80 score that coach Bill Mondrella could recall in his 10 years as coach. The list of golfers he’s coached includes Lejman’s sister, Sarah, a few years back. None of them achieved the feat until Lejman. Her 79 was good for 11th out of a tough field of 65.
Mondrella isn’t surprised.
Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“She (Lejman) is more consistent hitting the ball. She worked hard all winter with her dad.”
In Monday’s home match against Riverside-Brookfield she shot a 40 for nine holes, indicating that her 79 was no fluke, but a sign of things to come. She is Lemont’s Athlete of the Week.
Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
How long have you been playing golf? Since before freshman year of high school. I played travel softball for like six years before that.
Your sister played golf. Was she an influence? Definitely. Her and my dad. I would watch her play after I got out of softball practice.
You made sectionals last year. What do you think you've improved on over the last year? I think I’ve been more consistent overall. Been more consistent and it’s helped bring in lower scores.
You have a favorite golf course? I only played it once, but Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. I was there for an invitational and it was just the nicest course. A lot of fun.
Favorite professional golfers? I absolutely love Rory McIlroy. I’m also a fan of Phil Mickelson. I don’t watch as much women’s golf as men’s just because I think the men are able to do so much more, but I also like Annika Sorenstam.
Have you ever aced (hole-in-one) a par 3? No, never. I wish. Closest I ever got was about a foot and a half. When you see it from where you’re standing it rolls over the hole and you get so excited.
You have a favorite subject in school? We’re on a block schedule, but I love going to my journalism class. Absolutely love it. And I also love my art design class. They’re right next to each other and it ends my day perfectly.
Any thoughts about college? I’m looking at some schools, but I haven’t made any decision. I want to major in broadcast journalism and be a sports anchor. That would be like the perfect job.
