By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

It was a day to remember for high school golf programs in Portage County. At several OHSAA sectionals both the Aurora High School boys golf team and the Southeast High School girls team advanced to the D1 and D2 District competitions while two Kent Roosevelt individuals also made it to the D1 District.

Those teams and individuals are still alive and looking for berths at the OHSAA State Tournaments to continue their seasons.

AURORA GREENMEN

At the Windmill Lakes Golf Club OHSAA D1 Sectional, the Aurora Greenman qualified as the second of four teams to advance to the D1 District. The talented Greenmen team only missed the top qualifying spot by eight strokes to the Hudson Explorers.

Firing a team total 304, Aurora was led by senior Brady Allenick (73) followed by Nick Pollak 76, senior Dylan Lancaster (79), Jackson Sarver (76) and Joel Fletcher 81.

Gus Mehallis, longtime coach for the Greenmen offered that this may be the best team he has had in 20 years of coaching.

“I have four seniors that can break 80, Brady Allenick, Dylan Lancaster, Jackson Sarver and Joel Fletcher, and a super sophomore, Nick Pollak, that can shoot under par.”

“We had a lot of fun today and hope to continue through the District.”

Aurora has a rich history of golfers advancing to District and State.

KENT ROOSEVELT

The Rough Riders also played the OHSAA D1 Sectional at Windmill Lakes and just missed a team trip to the District by virtue of the fifth man score.

The Rough Riders, at the end of the regulation play scored 313 to tie Padua Franciscan for the fourth and qualifying spot to advance to the D1 District.

The Sectional follows the format of high schools playing five golfers and counting the first four scores using the fifth score as the tiebreaker.

Padua Franciscan’s fifth golfer, senior Adam Coyne, fired an 83 versus Kent Roosevelt’s fifth best score, sophomore Anderson Liggett carding an 86.

The Rough Riders team played so well that two individuals advanced among the four qualifying individuals to the District tournament.

Sophomore Andrew VanDamme (73) and senior Owen Puhalla (75) will represent the Rough Riders at the D1 District tournament seeking a chance to play at the state event.

SOUTHEAST PIRATES

The Lady Pirates traveled to Punderson Golf Course in Newbury to compete in the D2 Sectional.

Southeast grabbed second place (353) behind Chagrin Falls (350), besting Independence (373) and Gilmour Academy (397) for the top four spots.

Junior Sammy Morgan led her team, in a tie for medalist, carding a 79 on the Par 72 fairways of Punderson.

The rest of the team heading to District and their scores includes: Jennifer Mix (91), Emily Morrison (87), Kristen Dillon (96) and Lily Hayes (108).

“I am very proud of this group and the hard work they have put in all season,” said Ciney Fesemyer, coach of the Pirates.

“Qualifying for the District tournament was one of our goals we set as a team. We are excited to compete and look forward to see what we can accomplish,” concluded Fesemyer.