Girard’s Standohar earns state tournament berth

Standohar, two girls teams earn trip to Columbus tournament

Staff report

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Girard High School will be represented at the state golf tournament.

Mark Standohar shot a 76 on Tuesday in the Division II district tournament at Windmill Lakes in Ravenna. Standohar tied Fairless’ Hunter Lowder and Berkshire’s Sam Fisher to qualify for the state tournament at the North Star Golf Resort in Columbus on Oct. 16-17.

“It means a lot because I’ve struck out so many times,” said Standohar, a senior. He was referring mostly to his freshman year, when the Indians team included older brother Evan and cousin Jimmy. “We missed going to state by three strokes so I wanted to [qualify] for them.”

In the Division II girls tournament at Tam O’Shanter in Canton, the Lakeview and Columbiana teams qualified for state as did Ursuline’s Sydney Heimbaugh, who shot an 81 to earn a berth as an individual. The other individuals were medalist Sophia Trombetta (Independence) and Isabella Joseph (Gates Mills Hawken).

Lakeview’s members are Kaylee Neumeister (77), Taylor Horn (90), Ashley Frasca (91), Emily Coller (98) and Molly McAllister (115). The Bulldogs won the tournament with a 356, two strokes better than Lutheran West.

Columbiana was third with 363. The Clippers’ golfers are Alexa Tringhese (87), Elise Hammond (88), Hannah Garofalo (91), Alexandra Moreshi (97) and Shannon Marschburn (101).

Standohar says he was 7 when he started golfing.

“My dad got me into golf,” Standohar said. “It’s been some journey.”

Standohar said he’s never played North Star.

“I hear it’s a links course, real windy,” said Standohar, adding that he feels “that will help me.”

Standohar said his round Tuesday did not start well.

“I shot a 42 on the first nine, I was pretty down,” Standohar said.

His mood brightened two holes later when he came close to a hole-in-one.

“I got a birdie,” Standohar said, adding that he felt he had a shot at state if he finished his second round below par.

“I was feeling a lot better about my swing,” Standohar said, adding that he also changed his putting grip. “I started feeling more confident.”

Making changes even in an important round doesn’t concern him.

“If I’ve got to make adjustments during the round, I do it,” he said.

After next week’s tournament, it’s on to basketball and baseball. Standohar said golf is probably his favorite.

“But basketball is right up there,” he said.

Canton Central Catholic won Tuesday’s sectional tournament with a 302. Also qualifying for state were Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (312) and Parma Padua Franciscan (315).

Cardinal Mooney finished fourth with 328. Mooney’s golfers are Ken Keller (77), Nick Braydich (80), Keegan Butler (84) and Joe Passerotti (87).

With 331, Girard was seventh. Struthers was 12th with 375.

Division I BOYS

Undefeated Boardman won the sectional tournament at Tannenhauf in Canton by shooting 302. With 74s, Spartans freshman Cole Christman and sophomore Brian Terlesky shared medalist honors with Massillon’s Paul Ryees.

Also qualifying for district were Massillon Jackson (318), Massillon Perry (327) and Uniontown Lake (329).

Poland’s Zach Jacobson shot an 80 to qualify as an individual.

Poland was seventh with 335, Canfield was 11th with 353, Austintown Fitch was 13th with 358 and Howland was 15th with 394.