By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

It can only be considered a complete success for the Southeast Pirates who advanced to the OHSAA’s Division II State Championship at Firestone Country Club.

Advancing both James Morgan as an individual and the girls varsity team to the final event of the season, the golfers made the Southeast community proud of the results.

SOUTHEAST GIRLS TEAM

Taylor Blazek, a senior, earned First Team All-Ohio honors, finishing in a tie for sixth in the state among the 12 teams and 12 individuals.

The rests of the girls team fought hard in the horribly cold weather that was not a welcoming factor to Firestone Country Club. Rain, along with wind and temperatures in the 40s did not make a desirable day for golf.

But Blazek, along with Sammy Morgan, Jessi Mix, Jenni Mix and Aubree Varga, played their way to a fifth-place finish in the state — only one stroke out of fourth place and nine strokes out of third.

As the first team to advance to the state tournament, it was a win for the girls.

“We are very happy, but this group of girls always wants more,” said Cindy Fesemyer, coach of the Pirates. “So, yes we are happy that we advanced to state; yes, we are happy that we finished fifth; but they are ready to get back to work and they have goals for next year.

“The girls got down to business when they got out of the van at 7:30 a.m., but the weather put a damper on the entire day,” said Fesemyer.

“We are proud of what we accomplished as a team this year and have big plans for the coming seasons, with so many underclassmen on our team. Taylor is the only senior,” concluded Fesemyer.

JAMES MORGAN

A junior for the Pirates, Morgan made his first trip to the state tournament and finished 15th in Division II.

He shot rounds of 77 and 81, with his 15th-place finish coming amongst 72 of the state’s most elite golfers.

Playing the North Course at Firestone Country Club is not easy.

The course was built around Firestone Reservoir and, although it is a beautiful course, it has water on every hole, island greens and often difficult target shots.

On a day when the wind was whipping across the fairways and the rain created bone-chilling temperatures, golfers had to manage their games to perfection.

“I am so incredibly proud of James,” said Mike Jenior, coach of the Pirates. “The conditions were extremely poor; cold, rain and wind, and the North Course is so challenging. He battled the entire way around.

“Every high-school golfer hopes to end their season at the state tournament,” said Jenior. “Not only did James do that, he finished in the top 15 in all of Ohio. He made school history and represented Southeast and our entire community with class and integrity.

“That’s a season to be proud of,” concluded Jenior.

GOLF SCOREBOARD

OHSAA DIVISION II BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT FINAL

(At Firestone Country Club North Course, Akron – Par 72)

TEAM STANDINGS: Alter 598, Ottawa Hills 624, Springfield Northwestern 652, Chagrin Falls 654, St. Clairsville 659, Columbus Academy 661, John Glenn 664, Poland Seminary 671, Ironton 681, Westfall 689, Bay 696, St. Mary’s Memorial 710.

SOUTHEAST (Individual): James Morgan 158 _ 15^th Place.

OHSAA DIVISION II GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT FINAL

(At Firestone Country Club Fazio Course, Akron – Par 70)

TEAM STANDINGS: Columbus Academy 688, Madeira 695, Garaway 702, Bishop Fenwick 710, Southeast 711, Westfall 731, Chagrin Falls 757, Van Buren 788, Calvert 797, Wauseon 798, St. Joseph Central Catholic 846, West Union 857.

SOUTHEAST (711): Taylor Blazek 157, Samantha Morgan 177, Aubree Varga 193, Jessica Mix 189, Jennifer Mix 188.

Note — Taylor Blazek, 6th individual, first team all-state.