Student of the game: Novosel’s competitive nature shines on course, in classroom

QUINCY — Laci Novosel couldn’t choose.

Given the option of having a higher grade point average or a lower strokes-per-round average, the Quincy High School senior golfer and self-described nerd wavered in the middle.

“Oh, gosh, I can’t pick,” Novosel said. “I have to have both. My entire life is school and golf. It equals out. Every single day, I go golf and then I do schoolwork. That’s pretty much it. And I want the best of both.”

Her competitive streak and desire to succeed is allowing her to excel in both realms.

One of the top five students in the QHS senior class, Novosel has led the charge as the Blue Devils make their first state tournament appearance since 1983 at this weekend’s Class 2A tourney at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth.

It was the goal Novosel and fellow senior Paige Cain identified as freshmen and one they never lost sight of even when clearing the sectional hurdle seemed daunting.

“Practicing every day together has really helped,” Cain said. “We’re all really encouraging of each other. We put in really hard work over the summers because we knew something special was possible. With everyone improving and having so much confidence, we just want to help each other go all the way.”

That internal drive is what sets the Blue Devils apart.

No one illustrates that more than Novosel with her ability to excel in and out of the classroom.

“I’ve always been an active and engaged student,” Novosel said. “I’m also really competitive, and I think that carries over to my schoolwork as well. I don’t like to do bad. I always want to be the best that I can. I’m just competitive.”

It has led to four top-five individual finishes in the Western Big 6 Conference championships in her high school career and an individual state tournament berth her freshman year. Last year, with no state tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic, she finished fourth at sectionals with a 77 and would have qualified for state.

This season, she’s been consistent. Her 18-hole average is 76 and she’s been at par in the nine-hole matches. She carded a 78 in regionals and a 79 at sectionals. It has her primed to attack Hickory Point this weekend.

“I’m excited to see what happens,” Novosel said.

That’s now and in the future.

Playing college golf is a priority. So is getting the right education. She is considering going into pediatric dentistry, which means investing in high-level science classes like bio-chemistry.

“I’ve taken every science class (QHS) offers,” Novosel said. “I love stuff like that.”

Where she plans to study in the future remains undecided, although her desire to attend a major university on a widespread campus may be dwindling.

“As I’ve looked at colleges more, it’s about finding the right fit,” said Novosel, who also plays basketball at QHS. “I used to think, ‘Oh, I want to go down south.’ Then I looked over the summer at a bunch of southern schools, and none of them were right for me. I didn’t like them as much as I liked the Midwestern schools, which I was surprised about.

“I think I do still want to go to a bigger school, but I just don’t know yet.”

What she is certain of is being able to find the balance between being a high-level athlete and a top-flight student.

“Over the years, I’ve formed really good relationships with my teachers and I’ve found out how to make it work,” Novosel said. “Sometimes, when we’re right in the middle of the season and traveling so much, I’ll be like, ‘I can’t believe I have to miss school again.’

“As far as the extra stress it causes me, it’s not bad. I’ve learned to handle it. And at the end of the day, I love going to golf, so it all works out. I can’t really complain about missing school for playing golf.”

Tee times

Here are Friday’s tee times for the area golfers participating in the Illinois High School Association state golf tournaments this weekend:

Girls

Class 2A at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth

8:30 a.m. — Anya Nanjappa, Quincy High School

8:39 a.m. — Maddie O’Brien, Quincy High School

8:48 a.m. — Paige Cain, Quincy High School

8:57 a.m. — Saya Geisendorfer, Quincy High School

9:06 a.m. — Laci Novosel, Quincy High School

9:15 a.m. — Sophia Gold, Quincy High School

Class 1A at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur

8:30 a.m. — Ellie Price, Quincy Notre Dame

8:39 a.m. — Olivia Hummel, Quincy Notre Dame

8:48 a.m. — Meredith Eversman, Quincy Notre Dame

8:57 a.m. — Emma Eyler, Quincy Notre Dame

9:06 a.m. — Blair Eftink, Quincy Notre Dame

9:15 a.m. — Hana Knuffman, Quincy Notre Dame

Boys

Class 3A at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington

10 a.m. — Gabriel Gold, Quincy High School

Class 1A at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington

9:24 a.m. — Jameson Noble, Pittsfield

10:36 a.m. — Blake Arnold, Liberty