The NorthWood High School girls golf team checks in at No. 20 in the preseason coaches’ poll.

The Panthers, coached by Adam Yoder, placed second at both the Warsaw Sectional and the East Noble Regional a year ago. NorthWood, with just one senior in its lineup in 2015 in Linnzie Richner, then finished in 15th place at the State Finals.

NorthWood was scheduled to open its 2016 season today (Aug. 1) in the Harrison Invitational. The Panthers are then slated to play in invitationals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Lafayette Jefferson, Lake Central and Leo repspectively. NorthWood will then participate in the State Preview on Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Prairie View Golf Club, site of the State Finals, in Carmel.

Penn is the only other area team in the rankings. The Kingsmen check in at 16. Penn won its own sectional title and the East Noble Regional crown a year ago before placing 11th at the State Finals.

Evansville North, which won its second straight state championship in 2015, sits at No. 1 in the poll. Westfield is No. 2, followed by Columbus North, Zionsville and Fishers in the top five. The rest of the top 10 has Chesterton at No. 6, followed by Western, Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern and Lake Central.

Crown Point is No. 11 with Center Grove, Cathedral, Plainfield, Noblesville, Penn, Terre Haute North, Leo, Brownburg and NorthWood completing the top 20.

The list of teams on the honorable mention list includes Homestead, Evansville Memorial, Evansville Mater Dei, Floyd Central and Ben Davis.