All-Ohio

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

When talking last week about her goals for the Division II state girls golf tournament, Jalyn Bruns said that she was just going to play her game.

She did precisely that, and now she's an All-State honoree.

The Fort Recovery senior finished fourth to earn first team All-Ohio honors as the tournament concluded on Saturday at The Ohio State University's Gray Course.

Bruns, the reigning MAC Golfer of the Year, paired her 75 on Friday with an 81 to finish with a 156, 10 strokes behind Hawken's Ella Wong's state medalist round of 146 (71-75)

Bruns joins Coldwater's Kelsey Koesters (second team in 2012 and 2013) and St. Henry's Ellen Naumann (second team in 2019 and 2020) to earn All-Ohio honors for the Midwest Athletic Conference and is the first golfer from the Midwest Athletic Conference to earn first team honors in girls golf. Her fourth-place finish is the second-highest finish for an area golfer. Former St. Marys standout and University of Findlay golfer Jill Schmitmeyer's tied for second in 2017.

"Going into the tournament, I was not expecting top five," said Bruns via telephone after the awards ceremony. "After yesterday (Friday, where she was in sixth place with a 75), I was kind of hoping for top 10. Finishing in fourth is more than I was hoping for."

Teeing off from the first hole on Saturday, Bruns overcame two double bogeys with a pair of birdies to finish the front nine with a 37, matching her mark from Friday. On the turn, the wind began to play a factor with most golfers as Bruns had just two par holes on the back nine with two holes with double bogeys to finish with a 44 to get to 81.

"I had a real good first nine," said Bruns, who will play golf next season at NAIA Indiana University-East in Richmond. "On the back nine, it started getting windier and I started getting stuck behind trees. … Other than that, I was happy with my round."

With the rest of the field also struggling a bit - Wong and Shelby's Nicole Jones each shot a 75 for low score of the round, Bruns liked her chances to stay near the top of the leaderboard.

"I didn't have to wait that long for everyone to get done. Once I got done I felt I was going to be in the top 10. I was more than happy," said Bruns. "When I found out I (finished fourth), I was beyond excited."

The younger Bruns was happy to share the experience with her family, especially her dad Joe Bruns, who started the girls golf program at Fort Recovery and has been Jaylyn's coach during her high school career.

"It was pretty great," said the younger Bruns. "It was nice that I got to share this with my dad being coach and talking me through the tournament run."
Cavaliers finish strong

Coldwater placed ninth in the program's first-ever team appearance in the state tournament. The Cavaliers shot a 732 for the tournament to maintain the spot they held through the first round.

Coach Tim Brunet was proud of his team's effort on a weekend that had a mixed bag for weather.

"(Friday) we set a new record for 18 holes with awesome conditions," said Brunet. "Come out (Saturday) with super cold conditions and windy. Some of the girls battled some struggles and we were able to pull through and have fun. It was all about the experience this week."

Jordan Hemmelgarn led Coldwater with a two-round score of 180 (82-98). Laney Finke shot a 182. with Natalie Ashbaugh had a 185. Grace Buschur carded a 186 and Lindsay Finke came into the clubhouse with a 191.

Lima Central Catholic won its fourth straight team championship after shooting a 656 over the two days, edging first-round leader Marlington by two strokes.

Fort Loramie, also making its first team appearance at state, finished seventh with a 716. Eva Bolin led the Redskins with a 169 with Aubrey Turner shooting 176, Rhese Voisard carding a 182 and Morgan Pleiman finishing with a 189.

DIVISION III BOYS
Wildcats rebound for seventh

Minster moved up the leaderboard on Saturday after placing 12th after the first round. The Wildcats wrapped up their tournament with a 696 to tie Manchester and Ottawa Hills for seventh.

"The course is definitely different from what they're used to," said Minster coach Jeremy Magoto. "The exposure (to the course) from practice (on Thursday) and the first round really helped them come up with a little better strategy (on Saturday). I think each one had to come up with their own plan, something that fit their strengths."

Mitchell Bornhorst led the Wildcats with a 167. Nathan Beair was a stroke back at 168. Louis Magoto shot a 174 with Jack Meyer (187) and Ray Purdy (190) rounding out the scorecard.

"It was a great feeling when they were done on Saturday," said coach Magoto. "It felt like, 'Okay, we were put to the test and were able to respond.' "

Berlin Hiland won the team championship with a 624, two strokes ahead of Gilmour Academy. Worthington Christian's Sam Evans was tournament medalist with a two-round total of 143. Delphos St. John's Jack Gerker tied for 16th with a 161.