By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The first golfer to punch her ticket to the state tournament in Columbus was Taylor Blazek of Southeast.

Blazek is not only the first golfer headed to the Ohio State University Golf Club from the area, but she also made history as the first golfer to advance to the state tournament representing Southeast firing a 78 to qualify as an individual.

“Taylor really wanted to qualify,” said Cindy Fesemyer, coach of the Pirates. “She worked hard to reach this goal, and I am really happy for her.”

The Pirates missed qualifying for the state tournament as a team by only three strokes.

“We were so close,” said Fesemyer. “We just didn’t seize the moment. Every stroke counts.”

Members of the team put forth their best effort offered Fesemyer.

Aubree Varga (94) and Jessi Mix (100) each shot their best scores for 18-holes.

“It was just the little putts that became a big deal for the team,” said Fesemyer.

The team had a successful season and Fesemyer is proud of them.

“We are looking forward to the state tournament with Taylor Blazek breaking the ice for the Southeast golf program,” Fesemyer said.

GREENMEN GIRLS WIN DIVISION I SECTIONAL

BROOKLYN MILLARD

The Aurora girls won the Old Avalon Division I Sectional as Brooklyn Millard earned medalist honors with an outstanding under-par round of 67.

The girls won the first-qualifying spot with Gracyn Vidovic (75), Manish Girn (87), Nina Newkirk (85) and Brooke Barry (94) combining for a team total 314.

“I am very proud of my girls for how they stepped up to the challenge today after a couple weeks of not their best golf,” said Aurora coach Collin McEndree.

“We still have some more progress to make in practice over the next week-and-a-half before districts, but I think we are in a great place right now,” said McEndree. “Just taking it one day at a time.”

ROOSEVELT GIRLS EARN DISTRICT BERTH

“I was very proud of the team today,” said Kent Roosevelt girls golf coach Bryan Harvey, following his team’s third-place finish at Old Avalon to advance to the district level.

“They did what they needed to do to move on, which was to avoid the big mistake,” said the coach.

“As a good friend, former parent and incredible supporter of our program always said ‘Hard work pays off’, and it was very true today.”

“Maddie (Kost) was exceptional today. She played under control all day, hitting fairways and greens and accomplishing two-putts.”

Kost fired a 71 to lead the Riders and she was helped by Ashlyn Leavery (85), Izzy Wood (84), Cassidy Singer (92) and Adrianna Mineo (90).

“Ashlyn struck the ball very well today,” said Harvey. “She had many putts just miss going in or she would have been in the 70s. Izzy had a great start and finished with three pars to shoot 84. She has been rallying on the finishing holes all year long,” Harvey added.

“Both Cassidy and Adrianna were up and down all day, but mentally stayed strong and gave us the four and five scores that most teams do not have.”

Harvey offered, “We are heading to districts, where we hope each player can have their best rounds of the year and who knows.”

AURORA’S MAX DEVINS ADVANCES

Max Devins, of Aurora, fired a 75 at the Windmill Lakes Division I Sectional to advance to the district as an individual.

“Max played steady all day,” said Gus Mehallis, coach of the Greenmen.

“As we all watched the scores, he knew if he was going to make it, it would be as an individual,” said Mehallis.

Devins grabbed the first individual qualifying spot and finished tied for sixth in the tough sectional on the Par-71 fairways of Windmill Lakes.

The Greenmen finished seventh for the tournament, three teams and only nine strokes off the pace to advance as a team.