By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Waterloo’s Jackson Eichler

The Waterloo Vikings currently boast a record of 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.

While it takes a team to win — as golf counts the top-four scores from the lineup of six golfers — an individual medalist gives a needed boost toward victory.

Waterloo has that in Jackson Eichler.

The senior worked hard over the summer, playing on the NEO Futures Tour and finished as the runner-up in the Matt Mishler Junior Portage County Amateur.

This past week, as the Vikes took on East Canton at Paradise Lake Country Club in Suffield, Eichler was on fire, scoring a 3-under-par 33, his own personal best.

Also last week, the Vikings picked up a key victory over McDonald.

Moving into this week, Waterloo again takes on Mineral Ridge, a team they beat at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, by only seven strokes.

In an important MVAC matchup, the Vikings welcome Mineral Ridge to Waterloo’s home course, Paradise Lake.

It should be a good one.

Members of the Vikings varsity team, along with Eichler, include Clayton Smith, Trevor Simons, Drew Flarida, Mitchell Shepherd and Blade Ascarrunz.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

   • ROOTSTOWN GIRLS GOLF

Rootstown’s Ava Miller

In only their second year as a varsity team, the Rovers have made consistent improvements.

This season, they have had several impressive wins, including topping the Streetsboro Rockets this week 207 to 211 at Sunny Hill.

The Rovers’ Ava Miller and Alex Biggin shared top golfer for the Rovers in the match, each carding 45s, with Liz Adkins firing a 55 and Chloe Gardner a 60.

Streetsboro was led by Samantha Clark (44).

The Rovers are now 4-3 overall.

   • KENT ROOSEVELT BOYS GOLF

Kent Roosevelt’s Liam Curtis

The Suburban League hosted the third of four tournaments this week at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Medina, with both Kent Roosevelt and Aurora competing in the American Conference.

Roosevelt’s Liam Curtis, a sophomore, tied for medalist honors, firing a 74, only 2-over-par, to tie with Barberton’s Marco Silva.

The Riders finished in third place and the Aurora Greenmen earned fifth place. Max Devins carded a solid 79 to lead the Greenmen.

MEDALISTS OF THE WEEK

   • MADDIE KOST

Kost fired a 38, 2-over-par, at Fox Den as the Rough Riders toppled the Bulldogs of Stow by six strokes, 169 to 175. It was a team effort as the girls from Roosevelt’s scoring included: Ashlyn Leavery (40), Izzy Wood (46) and Adrianna Mineo (45). Kost also led the team in a victory over Tallmadge at Sunny Hill, carding a 35 on the par 34 middle nine.

   • JAMES MORGAN

Morgan earned medalist honors in the Pirates matchup against Tallmage at Brookledge Golf Club in Cuyahoga Falls. Morgan shot a 37 for 1-over-par. It was the second top-of-the-leaderboard for Morgan of the week. He carded a 36 at Sunny Hill as the Pirates defeated Rootstown 182-180. The Rovers’ Austin Biggin fired a 40.

   • LANCE GEDEON

Gedeon helped Garfield top Newton Falls by seven strokes at Riverview Golf Club in Newton Falls. Gedeon scored a 3-over-par 39 to tie Cameron Huff of Newton Falls.

   • GRACIE WESTOVER

Westover turned in a 41 in the Southeast matchup against Mineral Ridge that ended with the Pirates winning 178 to 231. Taylor Blazek added a 43, Jessi Mix a 48 and Layna Tittel a 46 as the Pirates improved to 5-1.

GOLF SCHEDULE

(Note: Schedules change frequently due to weather and transportation. Spectators should call ahead to verify the match is confirmed.)

   • THIS WEEK IN BOYS GOLF

TODAY — Mineral Ridge @ Waterloo; Crestview @ Garfield; Mogadore @ Rootstown; Field @ Woodridge; Solon @ Streetsboro.

TUESDAY — Springfield @ Field; Streetsboro @ Ravenna, Southeast @ St. Thomas.

WEDNESDAY — Waterloo @ Jackson-Milton; Lake Center @ Southeast.

THURSDAY — Brookfield @ Garfield; Cloverleaf @ Field; Coventry @ Streetsboro.

   • THIS WEEK IN GIRLS GOLF

TODAY — Springfield @ Rootstown; Streetsboro @ Southeast.

TUESDAY — Field @ Springfield; Kent @ Solon; Champion @ Southeast.

WEDNESDAY — Akron North @ Rootstown

THURSDAY — Cloverleaf @ Field; Kent, Hudson @ Revere; Southeast @ Springfield.