Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — Nov. 2016
IOWA CITY, Iowa –. Stephanie Herzog (Red Wing, Minnesota) and Annalee Dannegger (Wheaton, Illinois) have both signed National Letters of Intent to play golf at the University of Iowa next fall, head coach Megan Menzel announced Wednesday.
Herzog, who attends Red Wing High School, is five-time state qualifier and all-conference selection (2012-16). She is a four-time all-state team honoree (2013-16).
“We are thrilled Stephanie has chosen Iowa,” said Menzel. “She is an outstanding student-athlete and is a player that continues to show improvement.”
Herzog comes from a long line of golfers. Her father Mark Herzog played for St. Cloud State, and her brothers Patrick and Jordan played for the University of Minnesota and North Central University. She also has three uncles and one cousin that played collegiate golf.
“Stephanie has grown up in a golfing family and has played her high school golf under long-time coach and her dad Mark Herzog,” said Menzel. “Her swing coach Brent Snyder has done a great job in the recent months making some solid changes to prepare her for the next level.”
Herzog has led her team to three consecutive conference championships (2014-2016), improving from their runner-up finish in 2013. She garnered medalist honors at the conference meet her sophomore and junior years of high school. Herzog registered a runner-up finish in her freshman campaign and finished fourth her eighth-grade year.
The Red Wing, Minnesota, native led her team to a state championship in 2015, taking fourth-place individually. The team returned in 2016 with a third-place finish. The Red Wing High School women’s golf team placed third at state in 2014 and fourth in in 2012 and 2013 with the help of Herzog.
Herzog began competing in pre-college tournaments in 2013. She won the PGA Junior Tour and broke the course record with a five-below-par 67. In 2014, she was the runner-up at the PGA Junior Championship and the PGA Tournament of Champions and placed third at the Minnesota Girls Junior Tournament. She placed seventh at the Minnesota State Open in 2015.
This year, Herzog was named the champion of the Minnesota PGA Junior Championship and placed fourth at the Minnesota Girls Junior Tournament.
Herzog excels off the course as a student, making the honor roll the past three years. She is also a member of the National Honors Society.
“I knew right away after meeting Stephanie that she was a great fit for our program,” said Menzel. “We are excited to have a player with such a solid work ethic on and off the course joining our team.”
Dannegger, who attended Wheaton Warrenville South High School, is a three-time state qualifier and all-conference team selection. In her senior year as captain of the golf team, Dannegger led her team to a state championship title, where they set the Illinois state record with the lowest team score for 18-holes and 36-holes. The team improved upon their third-place finish from the previous year.
“Annalee is an exciting addition to our Hawkeye roster,” said Menzel. “Her team just won the Illinois state championship under her coach Art Tang, and she has improved a lot in the past few years.”
Dannegger’s leadership has developed over years of working hard to improve her golfing abilities. She was named most improved junior varsity golfer during her freshman year of high school and most improved varsity player during her sophomore year. After continuing to work hard, Dannegger eventually held the record for most improved women’s golfer in school history.
In 2015, Dannegger began competing individually in pre-college competitions. She placed third at the MAJGT Championship, and went on to finish ninth at the MAJGT Second City Classic in 2016. She qualified for fourth at the Medinah Country Shrine Jr. Invitational later in the year.
Besides working hard on the course, Dannegger also works hard off the course. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was named to the academic all-conference team three years in a row. Dannegger also served on the Athletic Leadership Council and volunteered for Tiger Crew, a club that gives back to special needs students.
“Annalee has a tireless work ethic in the classroom, as well in her golf game,” said Menzel. “Her swing instructor John Perna has given her a solid foundation and we look forward to her growing into a solid player for our team.”
