'Cats, 'Skins climb in standings

Compiled by Colin Foster

Minster's boys and St. Henry's girls returned to the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Golf Tournaments this year looking to move up in the standings.

And both did.

The Wildcats improved three spots from last year's finish - and jumped two places after day one - to earn fifth place in Division III. They had a score of 678 (+102) at The Ohio State University Scarlet Course.

"Couldn't be more pleased," Minster coach Jim Stubbs said. "I'm very, very proud of these guys. It's a senior-led group. These are guys I've been working with for a long time. To see them come out and have success is just awesome."

The Redskins, in their third straight appearance, had a school-best eighth-place finish in Division II. They had a team score of 718 (+158).

"We said at the beginning of the season that we'd like to get to state and finish 10th," St. Henry coach Wendi Moorman noted. "We got to state and finished eighth. It's fantastic."

Grant Voisard had a two-day total of 166 (79-87) to finish in a tie for 23rd and lead Minster. Joseph Magoto was right behind with a 166 (85-82) to take 25th. Grant Koenig had a 169 (89-80) for 29th with Jacob Wissman (90-86-176) and Ethan Lehmkuhl (90-87-177) following. After shooting a 343 on day one of state, the Wildcats carded a 335 on Saturday to move up two spots.

"I think we were a lot more relaxed today," Stubbs said. "We were a lot more in control of our emotions and in control of the game better. We were pretty far out of contention after yesterday, so I think everybody just relaxed and played their game better today.

"I've got six guys back on the squad who have been swapping back and forth," he added. "They pick each other up. When one of them doesn't show up, the other one does. It's just been a terrific year."

Hiland won Division III with a 628 (+52). The Wellington School took runner-up with a 644 (+68). Wellington's Aidan Schumer was individual champion with a 1-over 148.

Two years ago, the Redskins placed 12th and last year, they took 11th. They tied a school record with a 352 in Friday's opening round and followed with a 366 on Saturday for a total of 718, tying with Cardinal Mooney for eighth.

Ellen Naumann earned second team All-Ohio honors with a two-day total of 150 (73-77) at The Ohio State University Gray Course. She tied for ninth.

"She had a great round," Moorman said. "We followed her in the last four or five holes. She was playing some really solid golf. To come in today with a 77 is really fantastic."

Calli Hemmelgarn (88-96-184), Claire Clune (93-93-186), Alana Siefring (98-101-199) and Gwyn Elking (105-100-205) followed for St. Henry.

"We couldn't have asked for much better day (Friday), to tie the school record on day one of the state tournament was fantastic," Moorman said. "Everyone started the day with some nerves. They shook that out and played well. I think having a solid practice round on Thursday definitely helped. The girls were able to figure out how to play some of the holes and know what to expect when they were going out on day one. We were thrilled to end the day with a 352. The scores were phenomenal all around.

"The weather factored into (Saturday) in a huge way," she added. "We still had a great score, but we hadn't played in a temperature below 60 degrees all year. We came out today and it was 40, maybe. Your body isn't ready to play in the same way as it is when it's 65-70 degree weather."

On the second day of competition, Lima Central Catholic pulled away from Marlington to repeat as Division II state champions. LCC shot a 647 (+87) compared with Marlington's 658 (+98). The two teams entered the day tied. Lakota's Kyleigh Dull ran away with the top spot, finishing at 3-under 137.