By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

In a never-a-doubt solid golf performance at Punderson Golf Course in Newbury, the Southeast Pirates’ girls golf team climbed the leaderboard to second place, earning a spot at the Division II Girls District Tournament at Good Park Golf Course in Akron on Tuesday.

“We are very happy to make it out as a team,” said Southeast head coach Cindy Fesemyer, describing her team’s advancement to the D-II district. “Taylor (Blazek) and Gracie (Westover) shot solid rounds to put us in the position to advance to district. The two of them have really brought this team along, and I can’t say enough about them.”

“This is our fifth year qualifying for the district, and we all agree it’s time to make the next move,” said Fesemyer.

Team individual scores included Taylor Blazek’s 82, Gracie Westover’s 84, Adrianna Sloan’s 103, Aubree Varga’s 104 and Jessica Mix’s 104.

The Rootstown Rovers and Garfield G-Men were also at Punderson, as the Rovers improved 40 strokes over their performance in 2022 in only their second year as a team.

The Rovers were led by Ava Miller (107). Garfield’s Madison Woconish fired a 107 to lead the G-Men.

MOGADORE BOYS ADVANCE

The Wildcats grabbed the third of three qualifying spots at the Salem Hills Division III Sectional, earning the right to advance to the Division II Tannenhauf District.

“I am really proud of this team,” said Mogadore head coach Chris Mossa. “Especially my seniors, Lucas Butler and Kyle Gardner. They have only been playing golf for two years and have become some of the best players I’ve ever coached. They are the epitome of leadership.

“Butler and Gardner take care of everything from practice habits, having fun, being competitive, uniform decisions to showing the younger guys how to succeed and act,” Mossa added.

“We’ve grown so much on and off the course this season and are peaking at the right time. It’s a special group, and I’m so happy and excited for them.”

Butler fired a 78 and Gardner a 79 to lead the team to the qualifying spot.

JAMES MORGAN QUALIFIES

Southeast’s James Morgan, only a sophomore, earned the first-qualifying spot at the Bunker Hill Division III Sectional, carding a 2-over-par 74.

“James played tremendous today on a very tough setup,” said Mike Jenior, coach of the Pirates.

“Firing a 74 on that course, under those conditions is stellar,” said Jenior. “But if you talk to him about his round, he is not satisfied … and that’s what sets James apart. Any other golfer would have been ecstatic with that score. James holds him self to his own standard.

“I am going to call it the ‘Pirate Gold Standard’,” Jenior added. “I couldn’t be more happy for him.”

Morgan is only the second golfer to advance to the district level in the history of the Southeast boys program. The only other to qualify was Joey Kainrad in 2014.

FIELD’S DEEGAN YUTZY GETS LAST SPOT

Deegan Yutzy, a senior this year on the Falcons’ golf team, fired an 86 at the Windmill Lakes Division II Sectional to grab the third-individual qualifying spot and advance to the Windmill Lakes District.

Yutzy stayed consistent throughout his 18-hole round, carding back-to-back 43s on the front and back nine at Windmill Lakes.

Yutzy has been solid throughout the season for the Falcons.