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King Boys Win District Title

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A Tribune staff report

Published: October 15, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - What was supposed to be Hillsborough County's most competitive boys golf district lived up to its billing Tuesday afternoon at Temple Terrace. At the end of the day, it was King High hoisting the Class 2A-District 11 hardware.

The top five teams were separated by just nine strokes, but the Lions' team total of 337 was one better than runner-up Plant City. Newsome claimed the final team berth in next week's region tournament with a 343, edging Riverview (344) and Wharton (346).

Individual medalist honors went to Riverview junior Ian McConnell, who battled gusting winds to post an even-par 72. McConnell, who made two birdies and two bogeys, was seven strokes better than runner-up Kyle Martin, who shot 79 and was the only other player in the field with a sub-80 round. Newsome's Austin Taylor was third with an 80.

McConnell advanced to next week's region tournament as an individual, as did Wharton's Balraj Matharu (82) and Durant's Eric Soule (84).

"I'm pretty satisfied. It could have been a lot better, though," McConnell said. "I missed a lot of putts that I probably should have made, and I didn't take advantage of the par 5s as well as I wanted to. I only played them 1 under, and I was planning on playing them at least 2 or 3 under, maybe even 4 under, because they were all reachable in two for me."

King got solid rounds from seniors Matt Cook (82) and Steven Romeo (82) and sophomore Drew Kloppenburg (83), and benefited from a 90 turned in by freshman Tyler Weed. It is the first district title for King under Coach Barrett Zebos, who took over the program in 2001.

Adam Adkins

2A-12 GIRLS

HUDSON - Mitchell's Megan and Rebecca Van Etten knew what kind of score they were capable of shooting at Meadow Oaks Golf and Country Club.

Last Monday in Pasco County's Sunshine Athletic Conference tournament held on the same course, Megan, a junior, fired a 7-under-par 63 while Rebecca, a freshman, carded a 3-under 67 to lead the Mustangs to the SAC team title.

On Tuesday, the Van Ettens led the pack again as the two recorded the only scores under par as Mitchell ran away with the team title. Megan shot 66 and Rebecca a 69 as the Mustangs turned in a team score of 313 to win the tournament by 34 strokes. East Lake (347) was second and Clearwater (379) third.

"There was less wind last week and I putted awesome last week," said Megan, who shot 90 in last year's district. "Today, I was chipping really well but I couldn't make some of the putts."

Rebecca, playing in her first district tournament, ran into some problems on the back nine, with three of her four bogeys but she made it up with three birdies.

"It was fun. I had fun out there today," Rebecca said. "I'm happy with my score. It was a little windy out there, but wasn't that bad."

Emma Fivecoat (88) and Nina Argento (90) rounded out the Mustangs' scoring.

Gulf's Bailey Logan advanced to the region tournament for the fourth consecutive year, as her 77 was the third best score posted of those golfers not advancing on a team. When Clearwater posted its 379, the Tornadoes earned a spot as a team, which included Brittany Gaunt's 74. Had Clearwater not advanced as a team, Logan's season would have been done.

Other individuals advancing to next Monday's Region 4 tournament at Heritage Isles in Tampa is Palm Harbor's Jasmine Wade (72) and Justine Knox of Dunedin (73).

Rick Harmon

1A-9 GIRLS

WESLEY CHAPEL - No one in Class 1A-District 9 can match Saddlebrook Prep's top three players. The problem is, there must be four scores to compete as a team.

Despite placing all three of their players, including individual medalist Ankita Tiwana in the top five, the Spartans failed to advance to regionals as a team for the first time since 1996. That allowed Citrus (351 strokes), Zephyrhills (444) and Crystal River (450) to advance.

Tiwana (73), teammate Lauren Riehle (81) and Hernando's Lauren Shuford (79) took the three individual berths to region by virtue of posting the best scores for players not on advancing teams.

Saddlebrook's Mika Ikemoto had an 83, but failed to qualify for regionals. Citrus was led by a 76 from Briana Carlson and an 85 from Ashton Connor. Zephyrhills got a 99 from Sarah Baniszewski, and Crystal River's best score was a 108 by Kourtney Camp.

Bart O'Connell

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