By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The Pirates are headed to the district tournament.

Following Monday’s Division II Sectional tournaments at Punderson (the girls) and Windmill Lakes (the boys), it was again the Southeast Pirates that accepted the challenge.

When all teams had completed their 18 holes, at Windmill Lakes for the boys and Punderson for the girls, the Pirates’ girls team won the championship to qualify for districts and the Pirates’ boys missed the team qualifying by virtue of the fifth-man score, but are sending two individuals to districts.

MEDALIST HONORS (AGAIN)

It is becoming common that James Morgan and Taylor Blazek are the medalists in their respective tournaments.

Morgan, a junior for the Pirates, shot his way around the Par-70 fairways of Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna to a 1-under-par 69. That score earned him medalist honors in the 14-team sectional. His 1-under score was a full four strokes better than the Poland Seminary’s best golfer in second place.

Blazek, a senior and state qualifier in 2023, led Southeast to the sectional, carding an even-par 73 at Punderson State Park Golf Course in Newbury. Blazek was five strokes better than the runner-up from Chagrin Falls.

SOUTHEAST GIRLS TAKE TITLE

The Southeast girls won Monday’s sectional title at Punderson.

Following their fourth straight league championship, but their first in the MVAC, the Pirates capped off September with the win at Punderson over 15 teams.

With medalist Blazek (73) leading the way, Samantha Morgan fired an 89, Aubree Varga a 99, Jessica Mix a 95 and Jennifer Mix a 101.

Southeast won the sectional by two strokes over Ashtabula Edgewood to earn outright first place.

“It was a hard-fought win,” said Cindy Fesemyer, coach of the Pirates. “The girls never gave up and there were times they could have. We were down by four strokes going into the last three holes and our girls were not going to give it away.”

For the Rootstown girls, who have set program records all season at practically a weekly clip, the sectional was no different on their way to a sixth-place finish.

Ava Miller missed qualifying as an individual by one stroke after carding a 92.

The 397 team score for 18 holes is a new team record. 

Additional Portage County teams at Punderson included Garfield (15th place) led by Addison Snyder’s 123 and Windham individual Lillian Pesa-Garrett, 122.

MORGAN AND BRUNO ADVANCE

It is always great for a team to be represented at district, either as a team or as an individual.

James Morgan of Southeast qualified as an individual and, joining him at the Division II District is Cole Bruno, a sophomore for the Pirates, carding a 75, good for the second-qualifying spot to advance to the district.

After finishing second at the MVAC Tournament, the Southeast boys finished tied for third at the district among the 20 teams.

Three teams advance to the district and Southeast lost the tiebreaker, going to the fifth-man score that Hubbard won to earn the third spot behind Poland Seminary and Ursuline.

The rest of the team scores included Alex Peelish (90), Ethan Shodd (101 and Shade Stevens (106).

“I couldn’t be happier for James and Cole. James has been a stellar golfer all season and as only a junior, he is obviously one of the best golfers in the state,” said Mike Jenior, coach of the Pirates.

“Cole is only a sophomore, but he has joined James as a consistent golfer, shooting low scores,” said Jenior

“It is exciting they will both be there at the District after historic performances at the sectional. It’s also bittersweet for the team, because we played so well and were on the cusp to be the first Southest boys team to qualify for district, but with everyone returning next year, it is exciting to see what the future holds for our program,” concluded Jenior.

Other teams competing on Monday included Garfield (9th place) and Field (10th). Garfield was led by Hunter Anderson’s 90 and Field’s best was fired by Joey Conroy, an 88.

DISTRICT INFORMATION

The Southeast girls team will play at Good Park on Oct. 2.

For the boys, Southeast’s Morgan and Bruno will compete at Windmill Lakes on Oct. 1.