By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The Mogadore Wildcats teed off at Tannenhauf Golf Course in Alliance as one among the dozen teams qualifying for the Division III district tournament.

As the tournament progressed, the Wildcats rose to the top of the leaderboard and remained there to win the team title and earn the right to advance to the OHSAA’s Division III State Championship, which begins Oct. 12 at NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury.

“The course was challenging, especially with the windy conditions,” said Matt Bognar, first-year coach of the Mogadore Wildcats, who won the district tournament title for the first time since 1973.

“Seniors Max Shannon (81) and Noah Hopkins (83) proved their experience and leadership,” offered the coach.

“Juniors Max Simone (85) and Brock Thiry (88) also showed that they can play great using past experience. Senior Gavin Gardner (101) is always there to support his teammates.”

“The team’s goal since day one was a trip to the state tournament,” said Bognar. “They played today with determination. I am extremely proud of the hard work and never-give-up attitude they have shown all season.”

The coach continued, “We have incredible support from the Mogadore community and the team delivered with a championship. It’s another great day for the Mogadore golf program.”

Advancing as an individual was Jacob Rainieri, a senior at Lake Center Christian School and a resident of Mogadore. Rainieri fired a 79 to grab one of the top-four qualifying spots.

In addition to Mogadore, Portage County was well represented as the Rootstown Rovers also advanced to thedistrict tournament.

Rootstown fired a 371 to finish ninth in the tough field of golfers.

The Rovers were led by junior Drew Just (91), sophomore Samuel Klem (92), junior Nathan Waesch (97), sophomore Liam Miller (93) and junior Troy Kopac (95).

The Division-I district was held at one of the toughest courses in Northeast Ohio, Pine Hills Golf Club in Hinckley.

Among the competitors were a talented Aurora Greenmen team, who won the Suburban League this season and two individuals from Kent Roosevelt who helped the Rough Riders win the Metro Athletic Conference.

The top-four teams qualified for the Division I state tournament, including St. Ignatius, Hudson, Hoban and University School.

Among the 20 teams advancing to the district, Aurora finished seventh with a 318, only eight strokes shy of advancing to the state tournament.

Sophomore Nick Pollak led the Greenmen, firing a 75 as seniors Brady Allenick (78), Dylan Lancaster (91), Jackson Sarver (80) and Joel Fletcher (85) kept Aurora in the hunt.

Kent Roosevelt’s freshman Andrew VanDamme (75) missed qualifying to the state tournament by one stroke. Teammate Owen Puhalla fired an 85.