Making a statement

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Neighbors | Submitted.The Poland girls folf team took second in the state at the Division II state tournament in Columbus. .Team members are, from left, Christine Bilas, Melinda Hannon, Maria Mancini, coach Judy Young, Giana DiBenedetto, Rachel Sines and Rachel Jeswald.

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POland golf seniors Christine Bilas, Giana DiBenedetto and Maria Mancini celebrate the team's state runner-up finish at the Division II state tournament.

The Poland High girls golf team finished as the Division II state runner-up for the third straight season last 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 state team champion Dayton Chaminade-Julienne.

Poland’s Maria Mancini finished with 162 after her second round of 76 to lead the Bulldogs.

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 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.”

Their state run topped off a season where the Bulldogs where 17-2 against their opponents in regular season play.

They captured the AAC Red Tier league tournament title, won a fourth consecutive sectional title, shooting a school record of 315 at Pine Lakes.

Mancini was medalist and also set a sectional tournament record, shooting a 69. Poland also won a third straight district championship.