By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

GOLF STATE RANKINGS

Most of the boys and girls golf teams are halfway through their season, with conference tournaments and OHSAA postseason events in the near future.

The OHSAA Wanamaker app, the scoring app that teams are using, has teams and individuals ranked in the state and district, with several Portage County teams and individuals looking good to advance this season and earning solid rankings in the Northeast district and the state.

Teams and individuals highlighted here are ranked in the top 10.

BOYS GOLF RANKINGS

JAMES MORGAN

The only No. 1 ranking received in the district or the state among Portage County teams or individuals was the nod given to James Morgan, a junior competing for the Southeast Pirates. Coached by Mike Jenior, Morgan is ranked first in the Northeast District in Division II. Morgan also slips into the top 10 in the state, earning an eighth ranking among all of the Division-II golfers.

In the Division III Northeast District, the Mogadore Wildcats are in 10th place as a team thanks to their continued consistent scoring. The team is coached by Chris Mossa.

Just outside of the top 10, Kent Roosevelt’s Liam Curtis, is 11th in the Division I District. Curtis was 26th in the state as an individual in 2023.

GIRLS GOLF RANKINGS

The Southeast Pirates are ranked second in the Division II District and fifth in the state.

Senior Taylor Blazek is ranked third in the district and looking for the team, coached by Cindy Fesmyer, to advance to the state tournament with her this season. Blazek finished 14th in the 2023 state tournament.

Aurora’s Gracyn Vidovic, a senior for the Greenmen, is ranked third in the Northeast District and eighth in the state in Division I. Aurora is coached by Collin McEndree.

BOYS GOLF ROUNDUP

ANOTHER WIN FOR THE SOUTHEAST PIRATES IN THE MVAC

James Morgan again fired an even-par 35 and the rest of the team was in the low to mid-40s (Cole Bruno 41, Alex Peelish 42, Ethan Shodd 43) as the Pirates topped Crestview by 22 strokes.

The score moved the Pirates to 8-2 in the MVAC Gray and 8-3 overall with their lowest score of the season.

Crestview’s Braydon Gilbert fired a 40 to lead the home team at Beaver Creek Meadows Golf Course in Columbiana.

ROCKETS BEAT SPARTANS IN METRO MATCHUP

The Streetsboro Rockets topped Springfield 167 to 174 at the Spartans’ home course, Chenoweth Golf Club.

Streetsboro’s juniors Bryce Pocek (30) and Brett Epple (40) led the team to the win in the Metro Conference.

Sophomore Dom Mancini fired a 43 and senior Zachary Schramm, a 45, as the top four scores for the Rockets.

GARFIELD NEEDED JUST ONE MORE STROKE

The Garfield G-Men needed just one more stroke to tie LaBrae in a MVAC Gray Division matchup at Riverview Golf Club in Newton Falls.

Garfield’s Hunter Anderson was the match medalist, carding a 40 and Dillan Paul added a 46 but LaBrae was just too deep for the G-Men with three golfers firing in the 40s.

GIRLS GOLF ROUNDUP

STREETSBORO EARNS VICTORY OVER FIELD

The Rockets scored 227 strokes in their victory over the Falcons (253).

Sarah Czirok led Streetsboro to the win, carding a 52, with Claire Campell and Emma Chamberlain each adding a 57 to the total score.

Field’s best was fired by Mackenzie Boley, a 53 at Boulder Creek Golf Club, the Rockets’ home course.