Poland girls golfers state runners-up

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Staff report

In their third state tournament Poland coach Judy Young said the Bulldogs “are ecstatic” with their runner-up finish to Hathaway Brown.

“When you graduate three seniors, who would think you were going to return?” Young said. “This team exceeded our expectations and will be working on their games to return in 2011.”

After winning state in 2008, the Bulldogs were runners-up to Notre Dame Cathedral Latin in 2009.

Poland finished with a 36-hole team total of 681 to state champion Hathaway Brown’s 658. Poland shot 345 on day one and 336 on Saturday.

Senior Allison Mitzel and junior Maria Mancini both shot 153 for the tournament, while Melinda Hannon, a freshman, shot 184. Juniors Giana DiBenedetto and Christina Bilas added 191 and 204, respectively.

Mitzel and Mancini were both named to the First Team All-State Team for their efforts. This is a first for Poland girls golf to have two all-state players.