Freund’s foursome also includes Miss America and positivity
SEAVILLE — Isabella Freund is an outstanding teenager, and not just because of the title conferred during a pageant in the Miss America Organization or because of her skills on the golf course. It’s how she uses her lifelong passions that makes her exceptional.
On Oct. 7, Freund teamed up with Ocean City High School graduate Mary Burke. Together they won the gold medal at the Special Olympics regional golf competition at Seaview Golf Resort in Galloway. The Burke-Freund duo parlayed that into the silver medal at the New Jersey Special Olympics Fall Games on Oct. 23 at Mountain Creek in Ewing.
“The Special Olympics totally has given Mary a place where she can shine just like her sister and brother,” said her mother, Shiho Burke. Her sister also graduated from OCHS, where her brother is a student now.
“The special needs kids really need that and I hope more younger people will be involved to participate like Isabella in the future,” Burke said.
Her daughter “was thrilled to play with someone her age and enjoyed Isabella’s company. She was very happy that they were a good team and they did well together.”
“Isabella was super cheerful and encouraging throughout the state tournament even though the weather was pretty miserable,” Burke added. “They really had a great time more than anything. Winning the silver was just another medal. Mary is dreaming of going to nationals one day.”
Mary told her mother she really enjoyed playing golf with Isabella because Isabella is a good player and they worked well together.
“Mary said that she loves golf because she wants to stay healthy and fit. And the golf is perfect to keep her in a shape,” Burke added.
In the Special Olympics golf tournaments, two players are paired up, Freund explained. They take every other shot.
“Mary drives and I go wherever the ball lands and hit the next one all the way until we get it in the hole,” she said. “It’s both of us working together equally and for my part, it’s being there for her, providing advice. Obviously Mary is great at what she does. I’m there supporting her, making sure everything is ready and comfortable for her. Even just putitng the tee in the ground — letting her play golf and do what she does best.”
Freund, a 17-year-old senior at OCHS, enjoys her time with Mary.
“She’s so great. Every time we meet she’s always ready to go, loves the game of golf and is such a sweetheart,” Freund said. “I admire her passion and never giving up on anything. Golf is a very hard game and mentally challenging for anyone. Being able to have that shot and move on and go forward and focus on the good things and focus on the future is something I still struggle with today.”
This is Freund’s second year working with the Special Olympics.
“It was great to play with (golfers) from all over. It was my first time with Mary playing against other girls. That was cool for the two of us, having others to relate to in the golf world,” she said.
Freund said the regional competition was special because it was at Seaview, “which is one of my favorite courses because they hold the ShopRite LPGA tournament there. I have so many memories of going there with my family and getting to watch the girl players. Being able to play on the same course as the LPGA was fun for me.”
Early start on golf and in pageants
Freund’s passions for golf — and for pageants — started when she was young.
Her father, Bill Freund, is a golfer, as were her brothers. Her dad encouraged her to play.
“I realized it was an opportunity to hang out and spend more time with my family and grow as a person and as a golfer. I’ve been hooked ever since I was 9 but I didn’t get serious until I got to high school,” Freund said.
She has played all through high school and last year made it to varsity, which is the top eight players on the team.
“It’s a co-ed team so being one of the only girls on the team is pretty cool for me,” she said.
Another hobby got her hooked on pageants.
She also started playing piano at age 9, but as the teacher’s only student and no recital or show to prepare for, she “never practiced and I drove my mom crazy.” Her mom, Ava Freund, made her a bargain.
“She told me if I practiced, I could go into a pageant and wear a pretty dress and I was sold,” Freund said. “Of course, since then I have learned it is so much more than the dresses and the crowns and all of that. It’s about what you learn when you don’t win the crown and the friendships that you make, the sisterhood. That’s been a huge part of my life and will continue to be.”
Not only did Freund enter pageants but she excelled. She is now the reigning Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen. Over the summer she competed in the national Outstanding Teen competition, which is part of the Miss America Organization. (In Ocean City’s Halloween Parade last Thursday, Freund was riding in a convertible with Miss New Jersey Alyssa Sullivan.)
Through the Miss America Organization, Freund has been able to indulge in a third passion.
“My favorite program is called the Special Gems where I get to mentor a young girl with special needs and kind of guide them along the way of the Miss America Organization,” she said.
That tied into the Special Olympics.
“Helping those with special needs has always been close to my heart so being able to combine my love for helping others with my love for golf was a great opportunity for me,” Freund said.
She plans to major in biology in college and pursue a career in medicine. She just finished applying.
“All my applications are in and I’m feeling much more relaxed now,” she laughed.
She would like to play golf in college, but if she doesn’t end up on a team, expect her to use some of her down time at the driving range.
Caring, empathetic
Ed Ritti is one of Freund’s golf coaches at OCHS. He’s also a fan.
“Izzy is one of the most caring and empathetic student athletes to come through the OCHS program. She has a heart of gold and is a good golfer,” he said.
Ritti suggested Freund work with the Special Olympics.
“I knew that she would take the role of being Mary’s teammate seriously and be appreciative of all the hard work that Mary had put into the game of golf,” he said. “Izzy is always positive with her teammates, even though she can be very hard on herself as most golfers can be. I expect Izzy got just as much out of this experience as she put it. The coaches are extremely proud of her and the commitment she has made. This is what being an Ocean City Red Raider is all about.”
Freund said it’s been a great experience.
“I am so glad that I’ve been involved not just in Special Olympics, but that I’ve gotten closer to Mary and her family,” Freund said. “They are truly some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They’re so supportive.”
The Seaville resident listed the attributes that are important for working with people with special needs.
“It’s important to be a good listener. To figure out if there is a problem, to solve it,” she said. “You need to be encouraging and positive. And it’s important to be accepting and empathetic. You have to be confident in yourself and confident in your partner. If you don’t have confidence, there is nowhere to go in life or in golf.
“The positivity is the most important part,” she added.
Freund noted that the Miss America Organization “has made me the best version of myself.”
Her college essay is about the misconceptions about the Miss America Organization — “my perception of what the girls were and how my perspective changed as I got involved. I’m very passionate about the organization being the largest provider of scholarships for women. I love to share with people my love for that,” she said.
And she credits coach Ritti with being able to help her with perspective.
“Mr. Ritti is always telling me, ‘Don’t focus on the shot before or the shot later. Focus on right now,” she said. “That’s helped me in golf, in school, in life, and I was able to pass the advice on to Mary as well.”
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
