Stevenson’s Miller an ace

Updated: May 9, 2012 11:55AM

Stevenson junior Stephanie Miller might have the most impressive resume of any golfer in Illinois.

Miller dominated the Class AA state tournament as a sophomore, winning the championship by four strokes. She followed that up with her third consecutive Illinois Junior Golf Association Player of the Year nod this summer and a top-30 finish at the PGA Junior National Championship.

But it’s not her on-the-course exploits that get Patriots coach Andrew Conneen going when speaking about Miller.

‘‘What’s terrific to see with her is how she works with the younger players on the team,’’ Conneen said. ‘‘It’s invaluable to our team. She stands out from the top golfers I’ve seen over the past decade. She’s very personable, and the concern that she shows for her younger teammates is great.’’

To Miller, it’s no big deal. She has no desire to be the focus of all the attention.

‘‘I’m not going to be some stuck-up girl,’’ Miller said. ‘‘I’m like everybody else; I want to have fun. All of the seniors I played with as a freshman were great, and I wanted to be like that when I was older.’’

Miller spent the winter working on her game in a golf dome, and that work paid off this summer. She competed against some of the best players from across the world and made the cut at the PGA Junior National, a feat she was unable to accomplish last year.

Miller knows the kind of talent she’ll be facing this fall. A remarkable 35 of the top 60 players in the Class AA state tournament last year were underclassmen, and several incoming freshmen are poised to make an impact this fall, too.

‘‘Talent can be cyclical, but this is really remarkable,’’ Conneen said. ‘‘I’ve been coaching for 11 years, and I haven’t seen this much young talent come through at once. Stephanie was on the cutting edge of that.’’

Miller is aware of the field that will await her at the state tournament in October, and she’s ready to take on and conquer yet another challenge.

‘‘There’s a target on my back, but it doesn’t really bother me,’’ Miller said. ‘‘I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I’ll just go out there and do what I know how to do.’’

TOP GOLFERS

Colleen Ahern, Hinsdale Central, jr.; Sarah Armstrong, Homewood-Flossmoor, soph.; Sabrina Bonanno, Ridgewood, soph.; Sylvie Brick, Marian Catholic, sr.; Jacqueline Bruns, Hinsdale Central, jr.; Julia Calbi, Barrington, fr.; Sarah DeGeeter, Naperville Central, sr.; Connie Ellett, Hampshire, sr.; Katie Ellis, Lyons, sr.; Nicole Feierberg, Highland Park, sr.

Christine Garmoe, Prospect, sr.; Krystal Garritson, Lockport, sr.; Dana Gattone, St. Viator, soph.; Dana Gullen, New Trier, sr.; Alexandra Harkins, Crystal Lake Central, soph.; Rachael Johnson, Lyons, jr.; Isabelle Kane, Loyola, soph.; Grace Kil, Buffalo Grove, jr.; Brooke Kochevar, Glenbard West, sr.; Rosanna Lederhausen, Hinsdale Central, jr.

Stephanie Miller, Stevenson, jr.; Callie Nelson, New Trier, jr.; Nina Puch, Loyola, sr.; Jane Seder, Highland Park, sr.; Bing Singsumalee, Waubonsie Valley, fr.; Renee Solberg, Wheaton Warrenville South, sr.; Elizabeth Szokol, New Trier, sr.; Bree Veazey, Marian Catholic, jr.; Allison Walsh, Prospect, sr.; Terri Weigel, Loyola, sr.

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