By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The Southeast High School girls golf team played Good Park Golf Course in Akron like it was their home course on the way to the OHSAA Division II district championship, earning them a berth in the OHSAA State Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron.

Sammy Morgan, a junior for the Pirates, led the way for the team that also recently won the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference championship for the second consecutive year.

Morgan earned runner-up medalist honors, firing a 78 on the Par 71 fairways of Good Park. Only Elizabeth Pollak of Chagrin Falls scored better, a 72.

Sophomore Emily Morrison earned a top-five finish with her 82 effort and junior Jennifer Mix completed the assault on the to 10, firing a 85, good for ninth place in the district competition.

Kristen Dillon, a junior, concluded the top four for the Pirates, firing a 93, good for 24th place in the field of 73 golfers.

The fifth golfer, adding support to the Pirates, was Lily Hayes. The sophomore shot a 110.

The Pirates distanced themselves from the competition, earning a decisive win by 10 strokes over Chagrin Falls.

Keystone rounded out the top-three teams advancing to district.

“I am so proud of this team,” said Cindy Fesemyer, coach of the Pirates. “Every single girl showed up to play today.

“They were patient and consistent and made good decisions throughout the round,” Fesemyer added. “Sammy (Morgan) and Emily (Morrison) had strong rounds and Jenni (Mix) played tough. Kristen shot her lowest score of the year to assure the win.

“This team has the talent and heart to finish in the top three in the state championship, and we are ready for the challenge.”

TANGLEWOOD DIVISION I DISTRICT

Tanglewood Golf Course proved a tough tract for the golfers from Portage County.

Sixteen teams were at the tournament with only the top four qualifying for the OHSAA State Championship.

The Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders, Aurora Greenmen and Aryana Puleo of Streetsboro had all qualified through to the district, but despite solid play, none were able to advance out on Tuesday, despite solid scores.

The Riders were the highest finish from Portage County earning 14th place of 16 teams.

With a young team that only included two seniors in the starting five, Roosevelt was led by junior Brooke Beatty firing an 86 on the Par 72 fairways of Tanglewood.

Senior Coco Golden fired a 99, with freshman Mia Turner also carding a 99 and senior Aubrey Byler earning a 94.

Aurora, in 18th place, was led by Kelly MacSurak’s 79, who just missed the opportunity to compete in a run-off for a spot in the state tournament by one stroke.

Finally, Streetsboro senior Aryana Puleo, a senior, carded a 96. Puleo had an outstanding season, setting the best 18-hole score and 9-hole round this season for the Rockets.