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Pikunas, Terlesky in D-I state golf tournaments
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
Last year, Boardman High’s Jacinta Pikunas capped off a stellar freshman season by earning second-team All-Ohio status in Division I.
This year, while hoping to improve upon her finish of a season ago, Spartans freshman Brian Terlesky is looking to at least duplicate and possibly better Pikunas’ freshman effort.
The two Boardman golfers qualified individually for this year’s state tournament and are anxiously awaiting the start of today’s Division I state tournaments, which takes place on Ohio State University’s Scarlet and Gray courses.
Pikunas shot 77-79—156 at last year’s two-day event to earn all-state honors. She averaged 36 strokes per nine holes this fall.
“Par 3s on OSU’s Gray course will be tight and tough, so I will need some longer shots this weekend in order to stay with the field,” Pikunas said. “I have my longer clubs in my bag so it will be imperative to hit good shots.
“The course is tough, so making pars will be like making a birdie. I will need to play smart and be consistent with the key being able to pick up a shot on the field when the opportunity presents itself.”
The Spartans, who shared the All-American Conference championship with Lakeview and Canfield, went 14-2 overall, but failed to qualify as a team for state competition.
“I was disappointed that we didn’t qualify as a team, but we have everyone returning next season so our goal is get to state as a team,” Pikunas said. “I’ve been preparing for the last couple of weeks [and] will use Thursday’s practice round to get ready and I cannot wait to get started on Friday.”
Her coach Brian Terlesky — the father of the Spartans’ boys qualifier — said Pikunas’ strength is her distance and lengths.
“Jacinta is able to turn par 4s into wedges and drivers. She shortens the holes and quite frankly, hits like her male counterparts. She can play on our boys’ team right now,” Terlesky said. “Her putting isn’t quite up to speed because of the slow greens at home, but that will change on OSU’s Gray course this weekend.”
Spartans boys coach Ron Moschella said his grandson, who averaged 36.1 this fall, has the unique ability to get out of trouble when he is challenged.
“After playing quite a few tournaments this summer, Brian had to adjust to not swinging as hard and he got back into a groove, but it took about two or three weeks into the season,” Moschella said. “I’ve never seen a player get out of trouble like he does and quite frankly, he accepts the challenge and tackles it head.
“He’s a great re-coverer and has great hands around the greens.”
Moschella credits former PGA professional and 1977 Ryder Cup champion Jerry McGee for helping Terlesky with putting.
“Brian struggled in the early going with that part of his game and after Jerry worked with him, that’s now his strength,” Moschella stated. “He still shot par, but wasn’t in command of his swing and with Jerry working with him on other areas of his game as well, he’s now confident of his swing.”
Terlesky, whose team was 18-2 overall and won the All-America Conference crown, said he’s happy to be advancing to state in his first varsity campaign but felt as if he could have done better during the regular season.
“It’s tough to get to state as a freshman, so while I am pleased that I qualified, I felt as if I could have done just a little bit better,” he said. “Jerry was great to work with and very helpful so I feel as if I am ready to go. I’ve played OSU’s Scarlet course three other times so while it’s a bit of an advantage, it will still be very difficult and challenging.”
Last year, medalist honors went to Nick Sparling of Dublin Coffman High School, who shot a 70-76—146.
“If you can putt, then you can play with anyone, therefore my goal is very simple in that I would like 36 pars this weekend,” Terlesky said. “Then I know I’ll at least be in the hunt.”
Terlesky will tee off today at 9:40 a.m. on the Scarlet course with Robert Williams (Mount Vernon) and Will Efkeman (Cincinnati LaSalle) in his group. Pikunas is set to tee off at 9:48 a.m. with Emily Hughes (Gahanna Lincoln) and Miranda Greene (Bellbrook) round out her group.