McGaffigan taking game to Notre Dame

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By Andrew Petersen | Friday, May 09, 2008 | 1 comment(s)

Bettendorf tennis player Chrissie McGaffigan.

Now that Chrissie McGaffigan has her college decision ironed out, the next choice might be what sport she’s going to play.

In reality, the Bettendorf junior verbally has accepted a tennis scholarship at Notre Dame. Compared to nine months ago, however, a golf future wouldn’t be totally out of reach.

Already a two-time Iowa Class 2A tennis state champion, McGaffigan recorded three birdies as the Bulldogs’ golf team finished second at Monday’s Mississippi Athletic Conference meet.

“I had two (birdies) all season, and they were the luckiest thing you’ve ever seen,” she said.

She scored a 98, though, after a pair of 8s and a 9, making her tennis ambitions seem somewhat more appealing.

McGaffigan elected not to attend a Big Ten university, like her three sisters.

“They all wanted me to go to the school where they went,” she said. “I looked at a lot of schools, and I know I have no regrets. I know Notre Dame is the place for me.”

The Fighting Irish have had a winning record in 25 of their 31 seasons. The team has 14 NCAA Championship appearances in the past 15 seasons.

McGaffigan said she hasn’t played much tennis this spring, though she expects that to change with sister Laura home from Indiana University.

Golf, it seems, will always have its place with McGaffigan after she picked it up last summer.

“I’ve just loved it,” she said.

Andrew Petersen can be reached at (563) 383-2288 or apetersen@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qcvarsity.com.