Bulldogs D-II girls champs; Koehler wins individual title

October 1, 2015 at 12:10a.m.

HUBBARD

Lakeview captured the Division II girls golf sectional tournament Monday at Pine Lakes Golf Club while Emily Koehler of Mathews High School copped medalist honors by shooting a tourney-best 79.

The Bulldogs, who successfully defended their crown, shot 354 overall and will advance to district play Tuesday at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Canton.

The other three district team qualifiers include Columbiana (359), Warren JFK (380) and Poland (383).

Along with Koehler (41-39—79), other individual qualifiers include Taylor Ross (41-43—84) of South Range, Hadley Spielvogel (42-43—85) of Cardinal Mooney and Sydney Heinbaugh (48-40—88) of Ursuline.

“Prior to sectionals, I practiced at the Pine Lakes course seven days and was able to get in 72 holes overall. In doing so, I was able to learn all of their hole placements and that proved to be the best preparation I could have had in order to get ready for the tournament,” Koehler said. “I struggled on No. 13 as I made a slight yardage mistake, hitting the ball over the green. That’s not where you want to end up.”

While noting that the course wasn’t as challenging due to her prior practice, Koehler did admit that she also struggled on one other hole.

“I also had a hard time on #1 in getting the ball out of the rough. It was thick and wet and I couldn’t get the face of the club completely on to the ball. That would cost me a couple of strokes in the process,” she said.

Koehler said that it will be a real challenge in order to prepare for the district tournament.

“With school being in and the course over an hour away, it is going to be a lot harder to get ready so I’ll be at the range every day hitting a lot of balls,” she said. “On Sunday, I hope to get in an 18-hole practice round at Tam O’Shanter.”

The Bulldogs were paced by Kaylee Neumeister (41-4—82), Ashley Frasca (42-42—84), Taylor Horn (43-46, 89), Emily Coller (49-50—99) and Molly McAllister (52-58—110).

It was the Bulldogs’ third sectional crown in the past four years.

“I cannot be more proud of this team right now and it’s really nice to have your three seniors all shoot in the 80’s. They’ve been our leaders all season long,” Lakeview head coach Mike Turco said. “We won the sectional last year at Punderson State Park and three years ago right here at Pine Lakes, so it’s a really nice feeling to be heading to district once again.”

Playing at Tam O’Shanter again might be an advantage for the Bulldogs, who are looking to return to state for a second consecutive time.

“Tan O’Shanter is a course that our girls are used to playing on but one that is definitely challenging,” Turco said. “It has a lot of elevation changes and not many courses around here are like that. Our girls are comfortable with that, however, they must still go out and take care of business.”

Tournament runner-up Columbiana was led by Alexa Tringhese (40-41—81, who finished second overall individually), Elise Hammond (44-47—91), Alexandra Moreschi (51-45—96), Hannah Garofalo (46-45—91) and Shannon Marshburn (50-48—98).

Taylor Vassis (40-43—83) set the pace for Warren JFK while Nia Spencer (44-46—90) was tops for the Poland Bulldogs.