2009-10 Midwest Collegiate Conference all-conference selection and MCC Tournament runner-up medalist Megan Chitty will lead Clarke University's women's golf team into the upcoming season. And Coach Rick Arrington is optimistic about this year's squad.

"I'm excited to have nine golfers and I believe this group can allow us to continue to move forward in becoming a competitive conference contender," said Arrington. "The competition will be much improved within the team, and as the freshmen adjust, to both school and the longer distances, the Clarke women's golf team should have a good fall and spring season."

Chitty, a junior from Davenport, Iowa, became Clarke's first women's All-Conference performer. She owns the school's 18-hole record with a 76 and dropped a playoff for conference medalist honors this past spring.

Chitty anchors a veteran squad that includes seniors Renee Cooper (Janesville, Wis.), Ashley Johnson (Dubuque, Iowa), and Jodie Muth (Onalaska, Wis.). Cooper and Johnson are four-year members of the squad, while Muth is starting her third year with the program.

Chitty, Erin Hauser, Johnson and Muth combined for a school record 348 in the opening round of last year's MCC Tournament.

Newcomers on this year's squad are freshmen Sara Eisenmenger (Ames, Iowa), Grace Jennejahn (St. Charles, Ill.), Mallory Miles (Lancaster, Wis.), Sarah Olberding (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), and Tasha Redmond (Mount Vernon, Iowa).

"Our team goal will be to finish in the top three at the conference tournament in the spring," said Arrington.

Clarke will open the new season on Friday, Sept. 10 at the Knox Invitational in Galesburg, Illinois. The Clarke Fall Invite will be contested on Sunday, Oct. 3, at Thunder Hills Country Club.