CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois women's golf and head coach Renee Slone announced the addition of Mattie Frick (Peoria, Arizona) and Anna Ritter (New Albany, Ohio) on Monday (November 15), as the duo signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Illini for the 2022-23 academic year.
"We are excited to welcome Anna, Mattie and their families to the Illinois family," said head coach Renee Slone. "Both Anna and Mattie led their high school teams to a state championship victory this year in Ohio and Arizona. We are eager for their arrival on campus in August and look forward to assisting with the next steps in their growth and development. Both Anna and Mattie are looking to draw upon their experience of leading their teams to the pinnacle of success in their respective states to continue to propel our program forward!"
Mattie Frick // Peoria, Arizona
Notes: Golfed for coach Kyle Pooler at Liberty High School … 2021 National High School Golf Invitational Runner-Up … Four-time Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Division I state medalist … AIA Division I Runner-Up as a senior … AIA Division I State Champion as a junior … Notched back-to-back third place finishes in the AIA Division I State Tournament as a freshman and sophomore … Four-time PUSD Individual District Champion … Led Liberty High School to its first AIA Division I girls golf state championship as team captain in 2021 … Helped lead LHS to four-straight PUSD District Championships and a team sectional championship in 2021 … Nominated for Arizona Player of the Year as a freshman and junior … Individual Brophy Rodeo champion … Individual State Preview Champion … Five Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) top finishes in 2021 … Two American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) top three finishes in 2021 … Won AJGA D.A. Points Junior Open in 2021 and placed third in the AJGA Tucson Junior Championship in 2021 … Arizona state JGAA team finished at the Mary Cave Cup in 2021 … Finished in the top five in the JGAA Player of the Year points standings in 2019-21 … 2018 JGAA Player of the Year … Three-time Academic Letter award winner and Spanish Honors Society member ... Two-time National Society of High School Scholars honoree ... Father, Matthew Frick, played collegiate baseball at Arizona State, Yavapi and Alabama, before being drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1998 and played four seasons of professional baseball ... Mother, Karla Frick, played collegiate softball at Arizona State, Phoenix College and Alabama.
Why Illinois
"I chose Illinois because this school offers an amazing program and incredible opportunities. I truly felt that I could greatly progress my game and my education here. I loved talking with and getting to know Coach Slone and Coach Pina, and I am super excited to work with them. They were probably one of the biggest factors in my decision."
Coach Slone on Frick
"It has been fun to follow Mattie's progress over the past two years as she experienced significant growth from 2019 to 2020. She has posted numerous rounds in the 60's, including a personal best 61 earlier this fall. After multiple top-five finishes in various AJGA events, she earned her first national victory at the AJGA D.A. Points Open in July. How she managed herself and her game for the final holes that day was impressive. She knew exactly what she needed to do and hit the shots that were called for. After two well played shots on No. 18, she gave herself an uphill 20-footer which she proceeded to drain for a one-shot victory! It was an outstanding display of confidence, poise, and mental strength. Mattie is a high achiever and has a remarkable ability to manage a very full schedule."
Anna Ritter // New Albany, Ohio
Notes: Coached by father Richard Ritter at New Albany High School ... 2021 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Girls Golf Second-Team All-State as a senior … Two-time OHSAA Girls Golf First-Team All-State (2019-20) … Two-time Ohio Girls Golfer of the Year presented by the Columbus Dispatch (2019-20) … Two-time Female Athlete of the Year presented by the Columbus Dispatch (2019-20) … Three-time First-Team All-Central District and First-Team All-Ohio Capital Conference (2019-21) … 2020 OHSAA Girls Golf Sectional Champion … Two-time OHSAA Girls Golf Central District Champion (2019-20) … 2019 OHSAA Division I Girls Golf State Champion … Led NAHS to four-straight OHSAA Girls Golf Division I State Championships … Registered 18 high school individual medalist wins and four post-season individual wins … Holds the OHSAA Sectional Tournament record with a single round personal-best score of 66 as well as sharing a state tournament record with a single round score of 67 … Two-time USGA Women's Amateur Four Ball qualifier (2019, 2021) … 2021 PGA Junior Girl's Championship qualifier … Earned Runner-Up finishes at the 2021 AJGA Spinnaker Foundation Jr Open, the 2020 AJGA Dana Jr Open and the 2019 Ohio Junior Girls Championship … Four-time AJGA Exempt (2019-21) … Father, Richard Ritter, played collegiate golf at Ohio Wesleyan
Why Illinois
"I chose Illinois because I love the atmosphere of the campus. I love the women's golf coaches, Coach Slone and Coach Pina."
Coach Slone on Ritter
"Anna has played an integral role in her team's four-straight state championships, far exceeding the various state records she has set. She understands team dynamics and the importance of creating an environment that will challenge each teach member to be her best. Having competed on a high achieving team her entire high school career, she has been in a competitive setting daily and is well versed in the concept of earning one's spot in the line-up. She possesses a quiet determination and is resilient beyond her years. Anna finds unique ways to motivate her teammates and serves as the glue that brings the team together. She has demonstrated the ability to manage complex and challenging situations which will be a tremendous asset in college. Her positivity is infectious and she shows a willingness to find a way to get anything done."
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