OHSAA boys golf: 5 central Ohio storylines entering Division II-III state tournaments
Central Ohio boys golf competitors expect to be in contention for Division II and Division III state championships this weekend.
The Division II tournament will be played at NorthStar and the Division III event will be held at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course. Both are Friday and Saturday.
In Division II, Columbus Academy will make its seventh consecutive state appearance and 37th overall. The Vikings are seeking their 12th state title, second overall to Upper Arlington’s 17.
Fredericktown senior William Streby earned central Ohio's individual state berth by capturing district medalist honors (70) on Oct. 4 at Turnberry.
In Division III, Newark Catholic will make its fourth consecutive state appearance and ninth overall. The Green Wave will attempt to win their first state title.
Delaware Christian junior Gabe Scherer earned the individual berth — and a return trip to state — by carding a 71 at district Oct. 4 at Turnberry.
Here are five storylines heading into the state tournaments:
1. Delaware Christian’s Gabe Scherer seeks better outcome at state
Delaware Christian’s first state qualifier, Scherer turned in a strong performance on the second day of last year’s tournament. After carding a 19-over par 91 on the first day, Scherer shot a 1-under 71 to tie for 11th place (162).
He’s hoping to put together two strong rounds to improve on that finish.
“That’s been my motivation all year,” Scherer said. “I’ve been thinking about that first round and how I wanted to get that first round back. Now, I get my chance to do it, so I’m really excited to go back and do it.”
Coach Jon Landrum believes last season’s experience should help Scherer.
“I wasn’t surprised last year,” Landrum said. “As soon as I saw him play as a freshman, I thought we were going to go to a couple of state tournaments. I would have been more surprised if he didn’t make it. For a kid his age, Gabe is so consistent. Everything is accurate, everything is consistent. His demeanor is always consistent. He doesn’t have a lot of bad days.”
Scherer was joined at district by his brother, Lincoln, a freshman who tied for seventh (80) and sophomore Caden Beck, who tied for 19th (88).
Gabe credits his brother for providing support and competition during matches and practice rounds. They are members of The Country Club at Muirfield Village and Dublin residents.
“We enjoy the competition,” said Gabe, who caddies at Muirfield Village Golf Club. “(Lincoln) always wants to beat me and I always want to beat him. Even though we’re on the same team, it’s definitely a healthy competition. We’re just trying to make each other better and always play our best.”
Gabe holds the program record for 18 holes (70) and Lincoln has the nine-hole record (32). Gabe also is a two-time MOCAL champion who has helped the Eagles win three consecutive league titles.
2. Fang looks to help lead Columbus Academy
As his team’s lone senior, Academy’s Matthew Fang knows he needs to provide leadership on the course.
Last season, the Vikings saw their state championship streak end at five as they finished second (634) behind Kettering Alter (618).
Fang, who finished 11th (158), helped lead the Vikings to this year's district title by tying for third (74). He also was Player of the Year in the Central Buckeye League.
“This doesn’t get old,” Fang said. “Our expectations are going to stay the same (as district). We came into (district) trying to have fun, trying to do the best we could on every shot. We weren’t thinking about our scores or the results. We’ll do the same thing at state and hopefully it will work out the best for us.”
Girls golf: 4 central Ohio storylines entering Division II state tournament
Sophomore Jack Woods (75 at district) and juniors Gavin Munster (80), Alex Stein (85) and Ethan Baker (90) will join Fang at state. Academy (314) edged Jonathan Alder (317) for the district title.
“Without (Fang) and his leadership and bringing our team together, we may not have made it,” coach Craig Yakscoe said. “Hats off to him. He’s done a great job of leading our group this year. ... He’s taken the bull by the horns these last few days. You love kids like that because it’s their team.”
3. Newark Catholic sticking with same approach
Newark Catholic has received a balanced effort all season, and coach Phil West expects the same at state.
“We have committed, passionate guys,” West said. “If you get eight guys that are very committed and five of them are passionate, you can do some good things. We have great families. The kids are coachable. They’re students of the game. They really get after it. It’s fun to be around them.”
Junior Brogan Sullivan led the Green Wave at district, earning medalist honors with a 70 as the team shot a 316 to outdistance second-place Worthington Christian (324).
“I don’t think the number matters,” Sullivan said of his No. 1 position in the lineup. “You do the same as the (No. 3 player). I’m fine wherever everyone else is.”
Sophomore Bobby Kieber, the team’s No. 5 golfer at district, followed Sullivan with an 80. Seniors Brian Luft (82), Matt Vanoy (84) and Nathan Riggleman (87) also will compete at state.
Last season, Newark Catholic placed second (664) behind Cincinnati Seven Hills (659), the best finish in program history.
4. Fredericktown’s William Streby earns first state berth
Streby is the Freddies’ first state qualifier since 2002, when Matt Stout tied for 15th (148) in Division III.
Streby earned medalist honors at district, finishing ahead of Fairbanks’ Cole Eger (73) by three shots.
“With only getting one out (to state), it’s really difficult,” Fredericktown coach Fred Main said. “I think he’ll be fine at state. He’s really found his stride the last few weeks. He’s been playing really well. He hits the ball well. He hits it long. It should suit him all right there. If we can get through the first few holes being at state and just go play golf, he’ll do well.”
Last season, Streby tied for seventh (77) at district.
“He’s played well for me for four years,” Main said. “This was his third year being conference Player of the Year (in the KMAC). He’s been our rock, our leader for four years. I knew he had the capability. It was just a matter of putting it together at the right time.”
5. Expect open competitions for team, individual titles
With several strong teams and individuals throughout the state, there should be competitive battles for both titles in both divisions.
In Division II, Alter earned its seventh consecutive state berth and 27th overall by winning its fourth consecutive Southwest District title and fifth in six seasons. Davis Gochenouer, who led the Knights at district with a 70, is the defending individual state champion (148).
Last season, Alter won its first state title since 1999 and fifth overall.
In Division III, Seven Hills will make a return trip after winning the Southwest District title. The Stingers advanced to their 13th state tournament and fourth in five years.
Charlie Mullin, who finished third (153) at state last season, is the lone senior in the lineup.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA boys golf: Division II-III state tournament storylines
