Sunday, October 16, 2011
Staff report
COLUMBUS
The Poland High girls golf team finished state runner-up to Division II champion Dayton Chaminade-Julienne on Saturday at Ohio State University’s Gray Course.
Poland shot 351 on the final day of competition for a two-day total of 713, three strokes behind Chaminade-Julienne.
Warren JFK finished third with 731. Eagles freshman Haylee Harford shot a 75 on Saturday for a tournament-best 146.
Poland’s Maria Mancini finished with 162 after her second round of 76.
In boys Div. II competition at Sunbury, South Range’s Brandon Pluchinsky shot an 83 on Saturday for a total of 169, tying him for 11th.
Champion’s Thomas Lydic finished with 173 and teammate Mitch Weaver had 177.
Mooney’s team finished 12th with 727.
Girls
A second-day improvement spearheaded Poland’s comeback from 10 strokes down.
“We wanted to come back home with the gold so badly,” Poland coach Judy Young said. “I’m really proud of these kids. They made a valiant effort at the end.”
Mancini finished her illustrious high school career as part of the all-state second team. She improved her 10 strokes from Friday’s score.
Giana DiBenedetto tallied an 89 for 179 while Christine Bilas shot 91 for 188. Melinda Hannon had a 98 for 189 and Rachel Sines shot 95 for 190.
Young was most pleased with her team’s transition between day one and day two. The course conditions were undesirable, and the 10-year head coach saw the more-than-30 mph winds as a huge factor.
That certainly fazed all the golfers in the field, but Poland adjusted properly, Young said.
“There was so much wear-and-tear on the course and the wind was just brutal,” she said. “The girls really pushed through it, though, and got much better results.”
Harford followed up her first-place Friday with another equally strong showing. The freshman had a 71 to lead the field and finish the tournament as medalist.
JFK’s other players and their scores were: Kelsie Teaberry, 176; Katie Giardina, 189; Natalie Wladorf, 207; and Alina Baker, 215.
Boys
Dom Patella shot a 90 to finish with 179 for Mooney.
The Cardinals’ other players and scores were: Max Pikunas, 180; Steve Perry, 183; Ricky Clark, 188; and Cory Stefanec, 194.