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Chemistry Is Key To Sharks' Success On The Course

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2008

Riverview High boys golf coach Ron Slater couldn't be more pleased with how his team has played through the first part of the season.

Led by Ian McConnell, the Tribune's reigning Golfer of the Year who is averaging par, the Sharks are 6-1 entering play this week.

"I think we've done real well," Slater said. "We haven't reached our potential yet, but we're getting there."

While McConnell, whom Slater calls "Mr. Consistent," has led the way, the Sharks also have benefited from the improved play of the remainder of their lineup.

R.J. Slater, Tyler Young and Travis Hopson have performed admirably, while Nathaniel Wilson, whom Slater says always seems to start slowly before turning it on late in the season, seems to be approaching a turnaround in his game.

"They've all done well and they've all carried their weight. I can't say enough positive things about all of them," said Slater, who attributes a lot of the team's success to the immense camaraderie that has formed within his squad. "Everybody is jelling together and been really consistent. We've got good chemistry going."

The Sharks' last match, on Thursday at Buckhorn Springs, resulted in their only loss this season. In a tri-match with Brandon and Plant City, Riverview finished second behind the Raiders, who got sub-40 rounds from Kyle Martin (38), Brad Hall (38) and Nick Jones (39) in the win.

However, Slater is confident his team will rebound from the stumble, considering Riverview defeated Plant City by 11 strokes earlier in the season.

LEADING THE WAY: Bloomingdale's Sean Curran is off to a blistering start, helping the Bulls to a 3-3 mark.

In five matches Curran has shot 34, 37, 39, 37 and 36, according to Coach Mike Kiser, giving the senior a nine-hole stroke average of 36.5. Curran's best round of the year came in the team's opening match against Plant, and while the Bulls ultimately lost to the Panthers, Curran's 34 was a match-low.

JUST AS EXPECTED: Berkeley Prep's teams are right where Coach Tom Shea expected them to be.

While there has been some inconsistency, both the boys (5-1) and the girls (4-1) squads had solid records entering this week.

Senior Kyleen Carpenter and sophomore Blake Morris, two of the area's top players, have been the leaders of their respective squads, Shea said. Carpenter has come on strong lately with a few sub-40 rounds, while Morris "has been steady as anything" and right around par in each of his matches, Shea said.

FRESHMAN SENSATION: Durant's Madison Opfer has played very well through her first six high school matches.

Opfer, who Coach Dick Sheffield said carries a sub-40 average, had one of her best efforts in her latest round. The freshman shot a match-low 38 Thursday at Hunter's Green, but it came in a losing effort - the Cougars' first loss - as Wharton improved to 6-0 with a 177-179 win. Wharton star senior Shena Yang led the way with a 39, but the Wildcats also got a solid round from Brittany Bradshaw (44), who Coach Maxine Stark said is among the team's most improved players this season.

As for Opfer, her steady production has been even bigger for the Cougars after senior Heather Wengyn, expected to be a top contributor, decided not to play with the team this season.

NICE FINISH: King finished second in a recent quad-match with Jesuit, Tampa Catholic and Gaither, thanks in part to freshman Connor Carlton, who made par on four of his last five holes in a career-low 44.

Senior Steven Romeo has been among the Lions' most consistent players, Coach Barrett Zebos said. Romeo, who has a 39 average, shot 41 in that quad-match Thursday, second-best on the team to Andrew Kloppenburg's 40. Jesuit's Trent Silver carded a match-low 37, helping the Tigers win the match.

As for the Lions' girls, junior standout Kelsey Gibson is off to a solid start this season with a 37 average, Zebos said.

RECORD BREAKERS: There have been two notable record-breaking performances so far this season.

One was the Sickles girls team shooting a team-total 165 at Heritage Harbor in a victory over Chamberlain on Sept. 5. That broke the school record of 171 set last year, according to Coach Mark Mann.

Sophomore Alex Milan led the way with an even-par 36, with senior Katie Bame (41), freshman Sara Bair (42) and junior Shannon Ogborn (46) rounding out the scorecard.

The other came from Plant City senior Kyle Martin, who carded a 4-under 32 at Buckhorn Springs on Sept. 4. Martin, who had an eagle, three birdies and a bogey in the round, bested the previous mark of 33, which he shared with former Raiders standout Spencer Baldwin.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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