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Young Raiders Making Impact

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By ADAM ADKINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

Plant City High boys golf coach Gary Brady is in a bit of an unfamiliar position this season. But, that's not a bad thing.

The veteran Raiders coach can't remember having a team with as much depth as this year's squad, and he's enjoying seeing the contributions from up and down the lineup.

Senior Kyle Martin, one of the area's top players, has led the way, while senior Brad Hall has performed steady as well. The biggest surprise thus far has been the play of sophomores Nick Jones and Richard Elwell and freshmen Connor Hurst and Jared Martin, Kyle Martin's younger brother.

The four youngsters each have posted rounds in the 30s and each averages in the low-to-mid 40s, Brady said. The production has helped the Raiders post a 10-2 record entering today's scheduled match against Newsome.

Brady will face a tough task in the next few weeks, when he must decide on a postseason roster. Only five golfers will tee it up at districts, meaning one of the four underclassmen will be left out.

"They're big on the team concept, but they all want to play in the district tournament, too. I've never really had this problem before. It's always been pretty clear-cut as to who the five were going to be, but there's a little battle going on to see who is going to get left out," said Brady, who added the postseason roster spots will be determined by regular-season stroke averages.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: Berkeley Prep's boys team benefited greatly from its strong corps of seniors in Thursday's showdown with Jesuit at Rogers Park.

Bucs seniors R.J. Campbell (36), Austin Suarez (36) and Kiran Lingham (39) turned in the team's three best scores on the par 35 back nine. Those scores coupled with sophomore Blake Morris' 39 and the Bucs edged the Tigers 152-157.

While Jesuit ultimately fell, two Tigers players turned in their best performances of the season.

Senior Jack Twomey took medalist honors with a 2-under 33, while sophomore Anthony Maccaglia shot a season-best 1-over 36.

LEADING THE WAY: Tampa Prep girls golf coach Richard Veghte was counting on senior Taylor Richardson, a four-year starter for the Terrapins, to lead the way this season for a young and inexperienced group. So far, Richardson has answered the call.

Richardson put together one of her best weeks of the season last week by shooting dueling 38s on Tuesday and Thursday at Westchase, helping the Terrapins split a pair of matches. The rounds lowered her stroke average to a team-best 40.2.

RECORD BREAKER: In some belated recognition, the Tampa Catholic boys team set a school record for lowest team total for an away match Sept. 4 on the North course at Mac Dill Air Force Base. Senior Trent Stoker led the way with a 2-under 34, with junior Nick Sarich (39), senior Tommy Spitale (41) and sophomore Michael Mistretta (44) rounding out the scorecard.

It should come as no surprise these four players broke a record. In 2007, the four were responsible for shooting the best team score and posting the best finish in program history in regional tournament action.

CHIP SHOTS: Gaither's Alex Bonham has been steady this season. Bonham, who shot 41 the last time out in a loss Thursday to undefeated Wharton, has a 42 average, according to Coach Willard Brimm. ... The Wharton boys golf team bounced back from a tough loss to Sickles on Tuesday with a victory against Gaither and Durant in a tri-match Thursday. Team captain Tyler Hering led the way with a 38. The Wildcats will get a chance to impress their peers this week, as Coach Marcie Scholl said each one of her players will get one swing in front of the crowd during this week's pep rally, which the coach said "should be a crowd pleaser." ... King sophomore Andrew Kloppenburg has been one of the Lions' most consistent players this season. Kloppenburg shot 37 and 41 last week and is averaging 38 on the year, according to Coach Barrett Zebos.

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

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