JFK's Clemente goes solo for the first time at state tournament

Brookfield senior Colby DeCapua also has qualified for the Ohio tournament.
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Colin Clemente is in a familiar place, but he's missing a familiar face.
For the first time in his high school career, the Warren Kennedy High senior will not have his teammates around when he plays in this weekend's Division III state tournament at The Ohio State University.
"It's going to be a little different," Clemente said. "The last few years, it's been a lot of fun to have my teammates there and now I'm just going to be focusing on my own game."
Clemente placed second in the state last year behind teammate Jason Kokrak, who won two straight individual state titles.
Clemente has finished in the top five at state all three years of high school.
"It's the best place to play in high school golf," Clemente said. "I'm pretty confident going down there. I actually felt more pressure last week. Getting down there is the hardest part. Once you're there, it's a lot easier."
Clemente shot a 2-over 74 to earn individual medalist honors at last week's district tournament, but the Eagles just missed qualifying, finishing six strokes behind second place Lutheran West, which shot 344.
After winning state titles in 2000 and 2001, the Eagles placed second at last year's state tournament.
Lofty goals
Clemente finished third in the state as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. With Kokrak now playing at Xavier, Clemente will be one of the favorites to win the individual title.
"I think about it," Clemente said. "I've gotten so close, but in a way, I've got to be happy with what I get. To win it, everything has to go perfect and you have to have a little luck.
"If it happens, that would be great, but it's not going to affect me that much if it doesn't. I'm just going to try to get in the top five [to earn all-state honors] and I'll be happy with that."
Clemente will also look to play golf at a college in Ohio, although he hasn't decided which one. He said he eventually plans to attend dental school.
"I'm just going to enjoy it," Clemente said of this weekend's tournament. "I've played in a lot of tournaments and I don't really feel any pressure. I'm just going to go out and have a good time."
Breaking through
Brookfield senior Colby DeCapua plans to do the same thing.
After falling short the past two years, DeCapua shot a 74 at last weekend's district tournament to qualify for the Div. II state meet.
"I went into [the district] pretty optimistic and I kept telling myself I had a chance to win it," DeCapua said. "Having that confidence really helped."
DeCapua battled both high expectations and bad weather, shooting 37-37 to advance.
"During the actual tournament, I wasn't real nervous," he said. "I knew the course and I knew I was able to make the shots, so my experience really helped."
Still, he's not satisfied.
"I'd like to finish in the top 15 or maybe even the top 10," he said. "But more than anything, I just want to go down there and play two solid rounds and finish up with a good score."