Area golfers getting ready for state tournament play

By Jon Moffett

Cardinal Mooney, Poland and South Range’s Ariel Witmer have qualified.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two area teams and one individual will participate in the Division II girls state golf championships.

Cardinal Mooney High School and Poland both qualified their teams, and Ariel Witmer, a senior at South Range, advanced as individual.

Witmer and both teams will travel to Columbus for the championships. The event will be held at Ohio State’s Gray Course on Friday and Saturday.

The Mooney team is comprised of freshman Alyssa Culp, sophomore Amber Bruno and juniors Jackie Evans and Kelly Murphy. Junior Haley Manuel is the alternate.

Poland’s team consists of freshman Maria Mancini, sophomore Alison Mitzel, junior Angela Molaskey and senior Lauren Erdel. Junior Mariah Groner is the alternate.

Poland coach Judy Young, who is in her seventh year, said her team is making history with their trip to Columbus.

“We won the new [All-American Conference] championship this year and we also won the sectional tournament,” Young said. “It’s a team of history making.”

The Bulldogs went 14-2 this season. Their only two losses came to rival Canfield, which Poland defeated in the AAC championship.

“I have a unique group of kids,” Young said. “I’ve always encouraged them to do summer tournaments and they do that on their own time. Their work ethic is definitely above and beyond a typical girl, and they’re motivators for the younger kids.”

Mooney went 19-2 with losses to Poland and Boardman. Mooney won the Bishop’s Cup and the Steel Valley Conference championship.

Stacie Butler, who is in her fifteenth year as coach at Mooney, said her team is successful because they are able to focus on what is ahead.

“They have taken every experience and every match and they’ve learned from it,” Butler said. “They’ve learned to put things behind them and just focus on the shot ahead of them. They know how to think their way around the golf course.”

Both teams play at the Mill Creek Golf Course. Young said the course is responsible for the success of both local programs.

“I think both teams making it is indicative of the support we’ve gotten from Mill Creek Park. We work hard and the kids work hard. I think girls golf is advancing in this area. It’s a growing sport for the ladies in the fall.”

Butler said the girls on the golf team make her job easier.

“They’re good kids,” Butler said. “They know how to learn from their mistakes and move on. They listen well, they’re very coachable and they’re just wonderful kids.”

Young added there are no expectations for the team other than enjoy the atmosphere.

“We’re going to go down there and have fun,” Young said. “It’s fun just to be part of the experience. There’s no pressure, we just go down there and let the clubs do the speaking. Whoever is going to handle the nerves the best is going to win.”

jmoffett@vindy.com