NEOH PREVIEW: 2018 High School State Golf Championships

Summer as we know it might be coming to an end, but the high school golf season is about to hit full stride.

Beginning Monday, boys and girls sectional golf tournaments will be played at 19 sites throughout Northeast Ohio for seven of the following 10 days.

The sectionals are the first step towards a possible trip to Columbus for the 93rd annual boys state tournament or the 26th annual girls tournament in mid-October, conducted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Let’s hope the weather holds throughout.

Here is a brief look at the sectional tournaments in Northeastern Ohio, along with a complete list of the high school teams competing in each event:

BOYS DIVISION I

Quail Hollow (10/1):

Can anyone top University School in what appears to be a wide-open sectional? Thomas Coyne is the Preppers’ lone senior, offering hope for the future. Mentor might be able to challenge behind Greater Cleveland Conference medalist Howie Cavell.

TEAMS ROSTER: BRUSH, CHARDON, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, EUCLID, GENEVA, HARVEY, JOHN ADAMS, LAKE CATHOLIC, LAKESIDE, MADISON, MAYFIELD, MENTOR, NORTH (Eastlake), RIVERSIDE, SHAKER HEIGHTS, SOUTH, UNIVERSITY SCHOOL.

Barberton Brookside (10/1):

Archbishop Hoban is a bigger lock than Tiger Woods in 2000. With freshman Solomon Petrie rapidly rising to elite status, the Knights might post a double-digit win if junior Aaron Apticar and sophomore Josh Wright go low. Seniors Vincent Grosso and Colton Vincelette are capable of shooting in the 70s. Greater Cleveland Conference champion Medina is next in line, with tournament medalist runnerup Blake Shienkaruk carrying the load.

TEAMS ROSTER: ARCHBISHOP HOBAN, BARBERTON, BRUNSWICK, BUCKEYE, CLOVERLEAF, COPLEY, COVENTRY, CUYAHOGA FALLS, ELLET, FIRESTONE, HIGHLAND, MEDINA, NORTON, REVERE, SPRINGFIELD, TALLMADGE, WADSWORTH, WOOSTER.

Tannenhauf (10/2):

Green junior Maxwell Moldovan is reigning Division I state champion, was medalist in the prestigious Kiely Cup at Canterbury and is probably one of the top players in the country. But with Kent State commit Cade Breitenstine bypassing his senior year the Bulldogs lack the depth to repeat as district champs. So, the field is wide open with Jackson, Perry, GlenOak and Lake as probables. Jackson junior Andrew Wyss, who was named Stark County co-player of the year in 2017, had a very good summer and seniors Mark Dilling and Christian Tomak also flourished. Sophomore Ben Ramold and junior Andrew Dauk round out the five. Perry senior Gunnar McCollins was the co-player of the year with Wyss and would be capable of earning medalist honors if not for Moldovan. GlenOak has solid juniors in Alec Adcock and Brandon Jatich.

TEAMS ROSTER: ALLIANCE, AUSTINTOWN-FITCH, BOARDMAN, CANFIELD, CANTON McKINLEY, GLENOAK, GREEN, HOOVER, HOWLAND, JACKSON (Massillon), LAKE (Uniontown), LOUISVILLE, MARLINGTON, NILES MC KINLEY, PERRY (Massllon), WARREN G HARDING, WASHINGTON (Massillon).

Sweetbriar (10/1):

It appears to be a two-team race between St. Ignatius and Strongsville with Avon Lake having a chance to move on. St. Ignatius junior Andrew Kaye and freshman Topher Reed are capable of getting into the 70s while Strongsville can count on Michael Lee, Matt Nimsuwan, Cameron Matelski and Jake Jeske.

TEAMS ROSTER: AMHERST STEELE, AVON, AVON LAKE, BAY, BEREA-MIDPARK, ELYRIA, LAKEWOOD, MIDVIEW, NORTH OLMSTED, NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OLMSTED FALLS, ROCKY RIVER, ST EDWARD, ST IGNATIUS, STRONGSVILLE, WESTLAKE.

Windmill Lakes (10/1):

Walsh Jesuit has won four straight sectional titles and should add an fifth behind junior Colton Levey, sophomore Ben Cors and seniors Maurice Jacobs, Cutler Zamecnik and Tim Wagner. North Royalton and a young Stow team should contend to advance. Royalton will need solid performances from Jarret Nowak, Jake Frey and Justin Kocan while Stow sophomores Dan Page, Max Cookston and junior Aaron Kim have a nice opportunity to establish themselves.

TEAMS ROSTER: AURORA, BEDFORD, BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HTS, HUDSON, KENSTON, NORDONIA, NORMANDY, NORTH ROYALTON, PADUA FRANCISCAN,
PARMA, ROOSEVELT, SOLON, STOW-MUNROE FALLS, TWINSBURG, VALLEY FORGE, WALSH JESUIT.

BOYS DIVISION II

Quail Hollow: (9/24)

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin is the obvious choice as senior Arya Achar, younger brother Aditya Achar and fellow junior Danny Milo form a nice nucleus. Hawken, behind Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division medalist and MVP Drew Covilt and Kirtland with Jack Dever, Seann McGill and Adam Mueller, should advance.

TEAMS ROSTER: BERKSHIRE, CARDINAL, CHAGRIN FALLS, CONNEAUT, CVCA, EDGEWOOD (Ashtabula), HAWKEN, JEFFERSON AREA, KIRTLAND, NOTRE DAME-CATHEDRAL LATIN, ORANGE, PERRY (Lake), WEST GEAUGA, WICKLIFFE.

The Elms: (9/25)

West Branch senior Nick Pidgeon was the Eastern Buckeye Conference medalist.

TEAMS ROSTER: CANTON SOUTH, CRESTVIEW, EAST PALESTINE, FAIRLESS, FIELD, MANCHESTER, NORTHWEST, SALEM, SOUTH RANGE, ST. VINCENT- ST. MARY, TUSLAW, UNITED, WAYNEDALE, WEST BRANCH, WOODRIDGE.

Windmill Lakes: (9/24)

Poland Seminary, Girard and Hubbard could be the teams to watch.

TEAMS ROSTER: CARDINAL MOONEY, CHAMPION, CRESTWOOD, GARFIELD (Garretsville), GIRARD, HUBBARD, LABRAE, LAKEVIEW, NEWTON FALLS, POLAND SEMINARY, RAVENNA, SOUTHEAST, STREETSBORO, STRUTHERS, URSULINE, WATERLOO.

Forest Hills: (9/25)

Beachwood, Lutheran West and Elyria Catholic appear to be likeliest candidates to advance. Nate Burke and Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division MVP Drew Schnee make a strong case for Beachwood. Elyria Catholic can counter with Josh Wells and Kyle Mahaffey while the trio of Sam Spacek, John Smolik and Jake Gross lead Lutheran West.

TEAMS ROSTER: BEACHWOOD, BENEDICTINE, BLACK RIVER, CHIPPEWA, ELYRIA CATHOLIC, FAIRVIEW, FIRELANDS, HOLY NAME, KEYSTONE, LUTHERAN WEST,
NORTHWESTERN, NORWAYNE, ORRVILLE, TRIWAY.

BOYS DIVISION III

Salem Hills: (9/27)

Canton Central Catholic usually contends and should contend again.

TEAMS ROSTER: CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC, COLUMBIANA, DAVID ANDERSON, LOWELLVILLE, JACKSON-MILTON, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, LEETONIA, MEMORIAL, ROOTSTOWN, SOUTHERN, SPRINGFIELD (New Middletown), ST THOMAS AQUINAS, WELLSVILLE.

Pine Hills: (9/26)

One could make a case for Independence and Gilmour here.

TEAMS ROSTER: ANDREWS OSBORNE, COLUMBIA, CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, DALTON, GILMOUR ACADEMY, HILLSDALE, INDEPENDENCE, LAKE RIDGE ACADEMY, LOUDONVILLE, MAPLETON, RITTMAN, SMITHVILLE, TRINITY HS, VILLA ANGELA ST JOSEPH, WELLINGTON.

Riverview: (9/26)

TEAMS ROSTER: BADGER, BLOOMFIELD, BRISTOL, BROOKFIELD, CHALKER, CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN, JOHN F KENNEDY (Warren), LIBERTY, LORDSTOWN, MAPLEWOOD, MATHEWS, MCDONALD, MINERAL RIDGE, MOGADORE, PYMATUNING VALLEY, ST. JOHN (Ashtabula), WINDHAM.

GIRLS DIVISION I

Ellsworth Meadows: (10/2)

One of the area’s top individuals and two of the area’s top teams highlight this field. The player to watch is Hudson’s Jenn David, who recently turned in a stunning 6-under 29 at Ellsworth Meadows when she birdied her final five holes. Think she might be eager to return to the scene of her swings? Who wouldn’t? Look for North Coast League champion Walsh Jesuit and Solon to go head-to-head for the team title, with seniors Audrey Zedella and Christina Geiger and junior Gwen Bush leading the Lady Warriors and Grace Gao, Catherine Wang and Sandy Deng anchoring Solon. Sleeper: Stow-Monroe Falls.

TEAMS ROSTER: AURORA, BRECKSVILLE – BROADVIEW HTS, HATHAWAY BROWN, HIGHLAND, HUDSON, MAYFIELD, NORDONIA, NORTH ROYALTON, PADUA FRANSICAN, REVERE, SHAKER HTS, SOLON, STOW-MONROE FALLS, TALLMADGE, TWINSBURG, VALLEY FORGE, WADSWORTH, WALSH JESUIT.

Tamer Win: (10/1)

If Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin had a few more players like Avery Ovens it would win going away. Ovens, a senior verbal commit to Ohio University, was the North Coast League medalist on Tuesday with a round of 77 at Pine Hills and has been solid all season. Unless disaster strikes the Lions will be in the hunt, but they must hold off Poland Seminary, Canfield and Kent Roosevelt. Grace Thompson, Haley Brenner and Emma Picicco have been playing well for Roosevelt but Canfield coach Diane McCall usually has a team in contention.

TEAMS ROSTER: AUSTINTOWN FITCH, BOARDMAN, CANFIELD, CHAGRIN FALLS, CHARDON, GENEVA, HOWLAND, KENSTON, LAKE CATHOLIC, MADISON, MENTOR, NILES McKINLEY, NORTH (EASTLAKE), NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL LATIN, POLAND SEMINARY, RIVERSIDE, ROOSEVELT (KENT), SOUTH (WILLOUGHBY), WARREN HARDING, WEST GEAUGA.

The Elms: (10/3)

Perennial district challenger Jackson, North Canton Hoover, GlenOak and Cloverleaf appear to be the best bets to advance. State qualifier Jessica Hahn and freshman Maddie Reemsnyder lead GlenOak, while Hoover’s Madison Ardelean and sophomore Grace May will need to play well and get some lower-lineup help. Cloverleaf has three solid players in Averi Hanna, Mckenna Jordan and Brynn Shetterly, but the Lady Colts also will need inspired play from those below. The big question is will strong play from sophomore Anastasia Nikolaidis, freshman Avery Wright and junior Sydney Scibetta – just back from injury – be enough for Jackson?

TEAMS ROSTER: ALLIANCE, ARCHBISHOP HOBAN, BARBERTON, CANTON McKINLEY, CLOVERLEAF, COPLEY, CUYAHOGA FALLS, GLENOAK, GREEN, HOOVER, JACKSON (Massillon), LAKE (Uniontown), LOUISVILLE, MARLINGTON, NORTHWEST, NORTON, PERRY (Massillon), SPRINGFIELD (Akron), WASHINGTON (Massillon), WOOSTER.

Sweetbriar: (10/2)

Senior Paighton Masterson leads an experienced and deep Avon Lake team, which has been getting supportive play from seniors Emma Davies and Maggie Owen. The Shoregals might be challenged by Magnificat if the Lady Blue Streaks can get some low scores to back senior Aly Kovach and sophomore Ellen O’Leary.

TEAMS ROSTER: AMHERST STEELE, AVON, AVON LAKE, BAY, BRUNSWICK, BUCKEYE, LAKEWOOD, MAGNIFICAT, MAX S. HAYES VOCATIONAL, MEDINA, MIDVIEW, NORTH OLMSTED, NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OLMSTED FALLS, RHODES, ROCKY RIVER, ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY, STRONGSVILLE, WESTLAKE.

GIRLS DIVISION II

Pine Lakes: (9/26)

Cardinal Mooney looks like the strongest team in the field, capable of shooting in the low 350s. That could be enough to claim the top qualifying spot to the district.

TEAMS ROSTER: BADGER, CARDINAL MOONEY, CHAMPION, COLUMBIANA, CRESTVIEW, DAVID ANDERSON, EAST PALASTINE, HUBBARD, JACKSON-MILTON, JOHN F KENNEDY (Warren), LABRAE, LAKEVIEW, LORDSTOWN, LOWELLVILLE, NEWTON FALLS, SALEM, SOUTH RANGE, SPRINGFIELD (New Middletown), STRUTHERS, URSULINE.

Punderson: (9/24)

Laurel School freshman standout Jami Morris is the best player in the field but it takes more than one low score to win a sectional. Independence might be next in line with Chagrin Valley Conference MVP Emma McGreal and Morgan Pascarella, the lone carry over from last year’s Division II state championship team.

TEAMS ROSTER: ANDREWS OSBORNE, BEAUMONT SCHOOL, BRISTOL, CONNEAUT, CRESTWOOD, CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, EDGEWOOD (Ashtabula), GARFIELD (Garrettsville), GILMOUR ACADEMY, HAWKEN, INDEPENDENCE, KIRTLAND, LAUREL, LUTHERAN WEST, ORANGE, PERRY (Lake), PYMATUNING VALLEY, SOUTHEAST, STREETSBORO.

Riceland: (9/26)

TEAMS ROSTER: BLACK RIVER, CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC, CANTON SOUTH, CHIPPEWA, COLUMBIA, CUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, DALTON, ELYRIA CATHOLIC, FAIRLESS, ORRVILLE, TUSLAW, KEYSTONE, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, NORTHWESTERN, NORWAYNE, OUR LADY OF THE ELMS, RITTMAN, ST THOMAS AQUINAS, ST VINCENT-ST MARY, WELLINGTON, WOODRIDGE.

2018 NEOH District Golf Tournaments:

Division I Boys – Pine Hills (10/8/18)
Division I Girls – Legends of Massillon (10/9/18)
Division II Boys – Windmill Lakes (10/2/18)
Division II Girls – Tam O’Shanter Hills (10/2/18)
Division III Boys – Tannenhauf (10/4/18)