Boardman ace Pikunas is Federal League medalist

Staff report

NORTH CANTON

Boardman freshman Jacinta Pikunas was the overall medalist in the girls Federal League Tournament Saturday after shooting a school record 4-under 67 at The Sanctuary.

She also set a school record on nine holes with a 32.

Pikunas led the Spartans to a runner-up finish in the tournament with an overall 338. Nadya Stratton shot an 86, Anna Patoray shot a 91 and Tori Augustine shot a 94.

Massillon Jackson finished first with a 276.

After a regular season that saw her win every match except for a preseason event (17-1), the 67 also set her own personal record.

“Everything was on today,” Pikunas said. “I was just feeling it today and I was confident.”

The 2012 champion of The Vindicator’s Greatest Golfer of the Valley juniors competition, she’s been preparing for the highest levels of youth golf since she began playing in many of the top junior tournaments in Ohio and the United States.

“I’m familiar with that type of play,” she said. “When I play, I know I can go low and put up some good scores.

“It was a pretty big accomplishment.”

Pikunas birdied three of The Sanctuary’s four par-fives and found more consistency with her putting which, according to her, needed improvement late in the season.

She devoted most of her practice time with Coach Brian Terlesky on the greens.

“It was consistent. I got everything in play and that enabled me to hit close to the hole and make those 15 to 20-footers.

“I’ve spent a lot of hours on putting.”

Pikunas and the Spartans will be at the girls Division I Sectional tournament Monday at Tamer Win Golf and Country Club in Cortland.