All that work has immediately paid off for McKenna to start her sophomore season.
She won medalist honors with a 79 to lead the Colonels to the team title at the Centre College-Jim English Invitational last week at Old Bridge Golf Course.
But even that score, which was nine strokes better than her scoring average last year, should have been better, McKenna said.
"I would have liked to have shot about a 76 in our opener," she said. "My short game was a lot better, and it saved me in some spots. I was playing well on the front nine, but I let some shots get away from me."
Last weekend, McKenna made it two-for-two, earning medalist honors at the Hanover Invitational.
McKenna had a two-day score of 87-79-166. She tied with Stephanie Harrington of Rose-Hulman for first, but took home the individual title in a one-hole playoff. Her efforts also helped the Colonels cruise to a 22-stroke victory over Rose-Hulman. It also was Centre's second win in as many starts.
With all five golfers back from a team that finished last season ranked 49th in Division III, and 15th in the Great Lakes Region, McKenna has high hopes for the Colonels for this season and the next several since Melanie Goff is the team's lone senior.
"We can come in with a strong six players on the team this year," McKenna said. "We've got freshman Paige Burton this year going to put up low scores. And she's really going to help us a lot.
"Coach (Brian Chafin) is trying to aim to have everybody below 85, and I think it's going to happen."
