Lions capture league tournament crown

Minerva won the Eastern Buckeye boys golf tournament Sept. 18 and placed second in the final league standings.

It was the first league title for Minerva in the last seven years and only the second time in school history. 

“Our guys came out and played really well all day. It was great to see,” said Coach Troy Richeson.

Junior Reid Spall led the Lions with a 79 on the par 71 Pleasant View Golf Course to finish third individually.  Senior Jeremiah Smith added a solid 80 to place fifth. Freshman Wil Blackburn chipped in an 87 and senior Carsen Earley shot an 89. Freshman Tyson Fetty turned in a 92 for the team’s fifth score, which placed five Lions in the top 16 in the field of 36 golfers.

“All year we have been telling the guys how we have the deepest team, and it really showed today,” noted Richeson. “One of our top golfers had an off day, but our guys all stepped up and picked him up and earned our team the tournament championship.  We have six-seven guys who can go shoot in the 80s or lower and we proved it today.  We look forward to our tournament run to see if we can continue to throw some low scores out and see how far we can go.”

Minerva’s winning score of 335 was four lower than second place West Branch (339) which captured the final league standing. Marlington finished third (342), Carrollton fourth (343), Alliance fifth (401) and Salem sixth (402).  

Senior Bryce Taylor fired a 79 to lead Carrollton. Nathan Sutton carded an 84 followed by Everett Brooks and Michael Mullen, both 90, Bryce Lonca 92 and Parker Roudebush 96.

Regular season

The Lions wrapped up regular season action by shooting the team’s lowest round of the year to defeat Canton South 165-190 on senior night at Great Trail.

Blackburn shot a 40 to lead the winners, followed by Earley, a senior, with a a career-low 41. Spall and Fetty carded 42s to close out the scoring. 

“Seniors Jeremiah Smith played really well and shot a 43 and Senior Dario Sevek also played well carding a 46.,” Richeson said. “We will miss our three seniors.  They have meant so much to our team this year.”

The Lions finish the regular season 10-3.

Inter Valley Conference Golf Tournament  (IVC)

The Malvern boys golf team placed sixth in the IVC post season tournament Sept. 19 at River Greens Golf Course. The Hornets shot a 343 led by junior Cameron Good, who tied for  11th with a 79 followed by freshman Ayden Pelle who carded an 86.  Sophomore Cooper Kiehl carded an 88 while Junior Kami Rayborn shot a 90.

Hornet golfers Lauren Brown and Kami Rayborn competed in the IVC girls postseason tournament  at Carroll Meadows Golf Course Sept. 17. Brown shot a 79 and tied for sixth place while Rayborn shot an 87 and tied for 11th place.

“I am really proud of how our kids continue to compete night in and night out on the golf course.  We are looking forward to Sectionals to hopefully earn a berth into the District tournament,” stated Coach Lance Gram.