By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

An exciting golf season has come to a close with just a few items to check off the calendar, including athletes making their all-league teams, earning honors from their coaches and athletic departments and either seniors preparing to play golf in college or underclassmen looking forward to the 2026 season.

SENIORS

It can be both a happy and a sad time for seniors playing in their final matches during their high-school career. It is also bittersweet for coaches losing the leaders of their team, but looking forward to the future of their golf program.

A few of those programs with comments received from coaches this season include Southeast, Streetsboro, Kent Roosevelt and Rootstown.

STREETSBORO SENIOR GIRLS

Tim Foster, coach of the Rockets, forwarded two pictures during Senior Night and they are both special, but I especially like the one with the girls in their slippers and sandals.

Foster even commented that he was sending me two in case I wanted a picture of the girls with golf shoes on.

I loved the latter, shoes off and opting for comfort during Senior Night.

Sarah Czirok, Claire Campbell and Hazel Schoenherr led the team this season.

ROOTSTOWN SENIOR GIRLS

Six seniors played their final matches for Rootstown in only its third year as a varsity sport, with Matt Just the only coach for the program in its short history.

The girls season concluded at the Punderson Sectional Tournament, but not before several records were set this season by all golfers, including Morgan Giebel, sophomore, who had her best round at the sectional.

Seniors for Rootstown include Alex Biggin, Ella Derr, Anna Drago, Chloe Gardner, Camryn Lappe and Ava Miller.

With Giebel and several freshmen, the program seeks only to improve next season.

ROUGH RIDER SENIOR GIRLS

The Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders advanced to the Division I district at Tanglewood this season.

Seniors recognized at their final match and for their success throughout the season included: Adrianna Mineo, Kate Ennemoser and Kaila Kovolyan.

Losing three seniors can be tough, but Kent Roosevelt always rebuilds thanks to its extensive junior girls golf program directed by coach Bryan Harvey and their varsity golfers this season, including freshman Brooke Beatty and junior Coco Golden.

STREETSBORO BOYS and KENT ROOSEVELT BOYS

Both the Rockets and the Rough Riders earned conference championships this season, Streetsboro in the Metro Athletic Conference and Kent Roosevelt in the Suburban League.

Coaches of both teams never counted their boys out through tough matches and tournament action.

Sophomore Jax Turner led the Roosevelt team this season, but seniors Deacon Smith, Jack Flynn and John Estep provided the depth the team needed for the championship, along with junior Owen Pulhalla.

For Streetsboro, Brett Epple, Bryce Pocek and Evan Reger were the golfers coach Bruce Thomas said had goals throughout the season and they met those goals advancing to the Division I district and winning the conference, along with juniors Dominic Mancini and Brody Sanford.

SOUTHEAST

The Pirates’ boys and girls teams shared something special this season.

Both teams won their conference championships in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference, the boys the best in the Grey Conference and the girls outplaying all of the girls teams.

Senior James Morgan concluded an outstanding high-school golf career as one of the most decorated Pirates in school history, including leading the school to its first conference championship since 2013, three Player of the Year titles across two conferences, school records for nine holes and 18 holes, lowest-scoring average in school history and many more.

Morgan made an impact on the Southeast golf program that can’t be overstated, according to his coach Mike Jenior. He created a culture that will last long after he graduates.

Graduating Southeast senior boys included Morgan, Shade Stevens and Braeden Martin, with teammates winning the championship: Cole Bruno, Alex Peelish, Owen Dombroski, and Ethan Shodd.

The Southeast girls captured the MVAC championship and advanced to the district championship, where they finished in third place, one spot away from advancing to the state tournament.

Seniors Jessi Mix, Layna Tittel and Aubree Varga made an important impact on the program as both helped take the girls to a previous state tournament and lead the girls to their first conference championship, with underclassmen Sammi Morgan, Jenni Mix, Emily Morrison and Kristen Dillon.

MOGADORE WILDCATS

It’s hard to find a single “best” for this season that proved every match to be important for teams winning championships and advancing through postseason tournaments, but Mogadore proved to be one of the best teams in the greater Portage County area and the only team that advanced to the state tournament.

The Wildcats did not have the opportunity to win a conference championship this season, but made the most of their golf matches and tournaments as coach Chris Mossa set goals throughout the fall that the Wildcats met at every turn.

Mossa noted that seniors Tyler Pendergast and Jude Thiry finished their careers as two of the best in program history and complimented his team as one of the hardest working, dedicated groups he has ever coached in his 20 years, including the two seniors, along with Brock Thiry, Max Shannon, Max Simone and Blake Waterhouse.

THANK YOU

Thanks to all golfers and coaches for an outstanding golf season.

Every match seemed exciting.

New records were being set weekly, underclassmen were enjoying success, along with their senior counterparts and all coaches were extremely helpful in sending information and sharing successes big and small.

With the outstanding golfers in Portage County, I look forward to following the seniors that continue their golf careers in college and following the underclassmen in 2026.

I am so proud to cover the golfers of Portage County and beyond for Portage Sports.