By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Taylor Blazek, a junior at Southeast, represented her school and herself well at the state tournament as the first golfer for the Pirates to advance to the OHSAA event.

“Some kids get nervous,” said the girls golf coach, Cindy Fesemyer. “Taylor was confident and steady. I was impressed with her demeanor.”

Blazek played well in her first tournament, firing rounds of 77-82 for a 159 final, good for 14th place in the state of Ohio Division 2 girls.

Fesemyer offered that Keith Waesch, athletic director and golf coach at Rootstown, told her going to the state tournament with her golfer was something she would never forget.

“He is right,” said Fesemyer, who has taken athletes to track and cross country state meets.

“This is totally different,” said the coach. “It was interesting to watch Taylor compared to other kids who were nervous. She remained calm and never got rattled. She went there to play and that’s what she did.

“Southeast is very proud of her performance,” said Fesemyer, who said this will catapult Blazek into her senior year — and hopefully the entire team.

“We will all be on the same page and want the same thing,” said Fesemyer. “We have consistently made it to districts, now it is time to take that next step with the entire team.

“I can’t wait to see what happens next,” concluded the coach.

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

As the high school golf season wraps up, the final tournaments are hosted by the OHSAA this Friday and Saturday.

The Girls Division I State Tournament and the Boys Division I State Tournament compete at the Gray and Scarlet Golf Courses that are part of the Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus.

Portage County has three athletes heading to the state tournaments: Liam Curtis of Kent Roosevelt, Maddie Kost of Kent Roosevelt and Gracyn Vidovic of Aurora.

Watch for features on all three of these athletes as they compete against the best golfers in the state over two days and 36 holes.

TICKETS FOR OHSAA TOURNAMENTS

Fans and relatives looking forward to watching their favorite high school golfer in the OHSAA post-season tournaments will need tickets to enter the sectional, district, and state events.

Tickets are available online at www.ohsaa.org/tickets.

All tickets are online. There is a question/answer page on the website or fans may call 866-488-4849 for support.

GOLF CALENDAR

BOYS GOLF

• FRIDAY-SATURDAY — Liam Curtis of Kent at the D1 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Tournament, Scarlet Course, Ohio State University Golf Club, Columbus.

GIRLS GOLF

• FRIDAY-SATURDAY — Maddie Kost of Kent and Gracyn Vidovic at the D1 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Tournament, Gray Course, Ohio State University Golf Club, Columbus.