The Streetsboro Rockets boys golf team qualified for the district tournament on Monday competing out of the Windmill Lakes Division II Sectional.

By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The Windmill Lakes Division II Sectional Tournament is always very competitive as teams begin their journey on the trail to the state tournament.

Fourteen teams teed off beginning at 8:30 a.m. for their 18-hole chance to advance to the district as one of the three teams or three individual spots.

In the end, the Streetsboro boys grabbed the third-advancing spot as a team and James Morgan of Southeast qualified to return to the district for the third straight year, looking to repeat his trip to the state tournament in 2024.

STREETSBORO ROCKETS

The Rockets hovered around the third through fifth spot throughout the tournament, locking in the qualifying spot in the last four holes to advance to the Windmill District.

Senior Brett Epple finished in fifth place individually firing a 79 to lead the team to the qualifying spot, but it was a total team effort.

The team scores for the Rockets included Dominic Marcini 8), Bryce Pocek 93, Brody Sanford 81 and Evan Reger 86.

“The players have worked extremely hard since last year to accomplish this goal,” said Bruce Thomas, coach of the Rockets.

“After winning the MAC and not qualifying for the district last year, they set some goals for themselves. They wanted to win the MAC Tournament and conference outright, they wanted to qualify for the district and state tournaments,” continued the coach.

“They have accomplished three out of their four goals and with the amount of time they have put in this year, I wouldn’t bet against this team,” concluded Thomas.

Next up is the Windmill Division II District on Sept. 30.

SOUTHEAST’S JAMES MORGAN

The Southeast Pirates have had a solid season, winning their first conference title since 2013.

Southeast head coach Mike Jenior and senior golf standout James Morgan

Headed into the Division II sectional tournament, the Pirates were seeking a berth to the district, but the front nine proved to be a tough accomplishment on Monday as Southeast finished in fifth place, just two spots and 11 strokes out of the three-qualifying spots.

However, James Morgan, in his senior year, fired his way into the third-qualifying spot, carding a 79 good for a tie for fifth individually and advances to the Windmill District on Sept. 30.

This marks the third straight year Morgan has advanced to the district, as he seeks a repeat berth to the state tournament, where he finished 15th in 2024.

“I am happy for James because it was challenging out there today,” said Mike Jenior, coach of the Pirates. “The course was playing tough and would not give anything up. But the best players always find a way to get it done and James really showed his grit and resilience. He fought for that spot.

“I am so proud of this team and for everything we have accomplished this season,” Jenior added. “They never gave up, even when our backs were against the wall. They were so inspiring this year.”

PORTAGE COUNTY AT THE DISTRICT

In addition to Streetsboro and Southeast, the Field Falcons and the Garfield G-Men were at the sectional tournament.

Garfield finished in eighth place at the sectional led by senior Hunter Anderson firing an 83, good for 13^th place.

The Falcons finished just behind Garfield, in ninth place, with senior Jayden Huskins leading the way for the team from Field. Huskins was in 16^th place individually.

BOYS GOLF SCOREBOARD

WINDMILL LAKES DIVISION II SECTIONAL

(At Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna – Par 70)

• Top three teams and three individuals not on qualifying teams advance to OHSAA D2 District at Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna on Sept. 30.

TEAM STANDINGS: Poland Seminary 317, Ursuline 321, Streetsboro 331, Hubbard 341,

Southeast 342, Norton 360, Salem 362, Garfield 378, Field 379, Niles McKinley 380, Champion 385, Girard 385, Struthers 417, Liberty (individuals).

QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS: Colten Smith, Hubbard 76; Jonathan Adamson, Hbbard 77; James Morgan, Southeast 79.

STREETSBORO (331): Brett Epple 79, Dominic Marcini 85, Bryce Pocek 93, Brody Sanford 81, Evan Reger 86.

SOUTHEAST (342): James Morgan 79, Cole Bruno 84, Alex Peelish 89, Owen Dombroski 94, Ethan Sodd 90.

GARFIELD (378): Hunter Anderson 83, Caleb Sheer 98, Lukas Workman 93, Garet Warnick 104, Harrison Kissell 120.

FIELD (379): Jayden Huskins 84, Aiden Graham 110, Joey Conroy 90, Nick Cultrona 95, Tyler Stelzer 144.