Poland girls, two boys headed to state golf

October 14, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

The Poland High girls team is the only school in the state to place either first or second in every Division II state tournament.

Poland returns for its third consecutive trip to the finals at the Ohio State University Golf Course.

Also competing this weekend in the boys divisions are Champion’s Mitch Weaver, in Div. II, and Brandon Pluchinsky of South Range, in Div. III.

The girls tournament is at OSU’s Gray Course, while the boys Div. II tourney is at the Scarlet Course.

The boys Div. III event will be played at the North Star Golf Resort in Sunbury, just north of Columbus.

Poland won the first Div. II title in 2008 and finished runner-up last year to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. Last week, Poland was runner-up in the district tournament to ND-CL.

Senior Allison Mitzel and junior Maria Mancini, both two-time qualifiers to the state tournament, vowed at the beginning of the season to make sure that the rest of the team knew just how special a third trip would be, and then set out to make sure that they would return once again as a group.

Mitzel, whose 18-hole average is 76.5, was medalist at both the sectional and district Tournament while Mancini carries a team best 75.0 average.

“I’m very excited about this experience because we lost three seniors last year and just to get the chance to go back is great,” said Mitzel.

The Bulldogs were 16-1 this season and have won back-to-back All-American Conference Red Tier championships. They have won the AAC Red Tier tournament three consecutive years.

Mancini feels this team is prepared for the state meet.

“I am proud of this team for working hard and coming through at district,” she said. “With this being my third year in a row at the state, I feel that I am relaxed and not as nervous as I was in the past.”

Poland coach Judy Young said Mitzel’s and Mancini’s leadership was a key to the team’s success this season.

“Their talent alone would have qualified them individually, but their thing from the outset was that it would be more fun to be there as a team,” she said.

“They just wanted their teammates to experience what they have already experienced,” she added.

Young said the top three finishers could come from Northeastern Ohio.

“Three of the strongest teams that will compete this weekend will be Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Hathaway Brown and us,” she said.

Joining Mancini and Mitzel are juniors Giana DiBenedetto, Christine Bilas and Natalie Rivello, and freshman Melinda Hannon.

Weaver, a junior, is Champion’s second representattive to the state tournament in as many years. Last year Thomas Lydic qualified and finished 17th as a sophomore.

“Mitch has improved as the year progressed,” said Champion coach Doug Deas. “His strength is his short game and length off the tee.

“Mitch has the mental toughness, has played well down the stretch and handled himself really well all season long so he should be just fine this weekend,” added Deas.

Weaver sank a clutch putt on the final hole of district play to save par and qualify. He is ready for what awaits him this weekend.

“I am really excited to now be able to go down to Columbus and play with the best golfers from the entire state,” he said. “I feel like I will have to shoot par just to be in the hunt.

“[Lydic] just told me to go and have fun, play your game and have a good time,” Weaver said.

Pluchinsky, also a junior, tied Andrew Bieber of Gates Mills Gilmour for medalist honors at last week’s district tournament at Seven Hills Country Club in Hartville. Both players shot 76.

Pluchinsky is competing in the state tournament for the first time.