Tee time

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

August 24, 2009 Last Updated: August 24, 2009 03:17 PM High School

Butler freshman golfer Marissa DeCola chips the ball out of the sand while practicing at Hiland Golf Course last season. DeCola reached the state tournament last year and is one of the returnees to a Butler girls team that finished 14-3 last fall.

Moniteau eyeing KSAC crown; Butler girls coming off big year

Movin' on up.

That's what the Moniteau High School golf team has done the last few seasons and the Warriors don't plan on stopping now.

The program struggled earlier this decade, but posted a 6-4 record in 2007 and 7-3 last season.

Returning to lead the Warriors are the team's top three golfers from last year in junior Mitch Hunter and seniors Ethan Fowler and Jeremy Ritts.

"Mitch is a scratch golfer," said first-year head coach Sean Morrow, who assisted last season under Machelle Spence-Scott. "Ethan is a one or two handicap and Jeremy averages about a 41."

Seniors Mike Saper and Mike Colosimo and junior Heath Lominski will also be counted on to add depth.

"We're hoping to take (the KSAC) this year," said Morrow.

Preview capsules for the 11 area boys golf teams and three girls teams follow.

A-C Valley

Coach: Dave Sherman, eighth season

Last year's record: The Falcons finished as co-champs of the KSAC with Redbank Valley before placing second at the District 9 championships.

Home Course: Foxburg Country Club

Top returning players: juniors Logan Wetzel, Allan Eaton, Blayne McGuirk, Joe Callender and C.J. Adams

In the mix: freshmen Ryan Bartley and Landon DeLisio

Sherman says: "We want to place as high as we can at districts this year."

Butler (boys)

Coach: Hank Keller, 18th season

Last year's record: The Golden Tornado tied for fourth in the section.

Home Course: Butler Country Club

Top returning players: seniors Steven Feczko, Anthony Lewis, sophomore Corey Morabito and seniors Nathan Moses and Zac Sessa

In the mix: junior Jeremy Gohn and sophomores Lance Hinton and Phil Schultz

Keller says: "We're hoping that our senior leadership brings a strong playoff run."

Butler (girls)

Coach: Sarah Parker, fourth season

Last year's record: The Golden Tornado went 14-3 overall.

Home Course: Hiland Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Mara Shingleton, Taylor Schnur and sophomore Marissa DeCola

In the mix: senior Breanna Salkeld, sophomore Rebecca Shakely and freshman Tori Hesidence

Parker says: "We'd like to win as many as we did last year. We have to find a way to beat Center. They beat us twice last year."

Freeport

Coach: Dave Panach, 19th seasonLast year's record: The Yellowjackets finished with a 12-2 section record and 15-3 overall.

Home Course: Buffalo Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Zack McQueen, Blaine Smith, Neil DeCroo, Tyler Pajerski and Dane Bargerstock

In the mix: junior Patrick D'Amico and freshman Richard Vandruff

Panach says: "In 18 seasons, we've gone 205-44 in the section, 288-68 overall and have won eight section titles. So, we've got a pretty good program going here."

Grove City

Coach: Pat Forese, 10th season

Last year's record: The Eagles finished in the top half of their region's standings.

Home Course: Grove City Country Club

Top returning players: junior Ryan Prokay and senior Kyle Foster

In the mix: senior Camden Palmer and juniors Alex Miklos, Jason Revesz, Jeff Revesz and Jordan Orloski

Forese says: "If Ryan and Kyle can play up to their capabilities and we get solid play from the rest of the guys, we could have an outside shot at winning the region."

Karns City

Coach: Pat Preston, ninth season

Last year's record: The Gremlins went 1-9.

Home Course: St. Jude Golf Club

Top returning players: senior Tyler Walters and sophomores Tucker Preston and Josh Jones

In the mix: sophomores Zack Walker, Lucas Morrow and Trevor Beham

Preston

says: "A lot of our golfers haven't played in a match, so we'll see how it turns out."

KnochCoach: Rob Voltz, eighth seasonLast year's record: The Knights placed third in their section with an 8-4 record.Home Course: Saxon Golf CourseTop returning players: seniors Corey Branchen, R.J. Sepich, junior Jared Hennig and sophomore Jack BorosIn the mix: junior Matt Eshelman, freshmen Stefan Carlsson, Dan Smith and senior Evan GorseVoltz says: "We are looking for consistency out of our returning varsity golfers. If we get that, we should have a shot at the section."Mars (boys)Coach: Tim Tyler, eighth seasonLast year's record: The Planets made the WPIAL playoffs by finishing second in their section.Home Course: Rittswood Golf CourseTop returning players: seniors Jason Fitzpatrick, Derek Hillegas and juniors Christian Locher and Billy BenderIn the mix: seniors Mike Parrish, James Fox, Brendan Blakeley and Jordan MullinsTyler says: "You always hate to make predictions because you never know what can happen, but we've got a lot of experience back."Mars (girls)Coaches: Bill Pettigrew, sixth season and Kent Shoemaker, fourth seasonLast year's record: Mars was third in its section.Home Course: Rittswood Golf CourseTop returning players: seniors Kayla Finney, Megan Morrow and sophomore Alexa GlewIn the mix: senior Marla Crawford, junior Kendall Gillam, sophomore Bailey Bernard and freshmen Olivia Laughlin, Alexa Titchen and Hanna SigurdsonShoemaker says: "We'd like to finish in the top half of our section. It's going to be real competitive with Fox Chapel and Shady Side Academy."MoniteauCoach: Sean Morrow, first seasonLast year's record: The Warriors finished above .500.Home Course: Shamrock Golf CourseTop returning players: junior Mitch Hunter and seniors Ethan Fowler and Jeremy RittsIn the mix: seniors Mike Saper, Mike Colosimo and junior Heath LominskiMorrow says: "A-C Valley is always a powerhouse. Union and Redbank Valley are usually right there too, but we're hoping to take (the KSAC) this year."Seneca Valley (boys)Coach: Steve Mayes, 21st seasonLast year's record: The Raiders went 13-2 and won a section title.Home Course: Cranberry Highlands Golf CourseTop returning players: seniors Sean Dailey, Blake Henderson, Andrew Kriley, Connor McCaffrey and juniors Tim Martin and Mike McNultyIn the mix: seniors Ryan Thomas, Isaac Haky and junior Tyler BeckMayes says: "We're very senior-oriented, but we'll take 'em one match at a time and see how it goes."Seneca Valley (girls)Coach: Lynn Wagner, 10th seasonLast year's record: The Raiders went 9-5 in section play.Home Course: Connoquenessing Country ClubTop returning players: juniors Paige Wojdyla, Jennifer Suder, Stephanie Bullis and senior Brooke ArringtonWagner says: "If we're better at the end of the season than we are at the beginning, then we will have accomplished our goal."Slippery RockCoach: Merle Whitmer, 25th seasonLast year's record: The Rockets won their region.Home Course: Oakview Golf ClubTop returning players: juniors Brian Giesler and Gus McDowellIn the mix: freshman Brett Rinker, junior Luke Taylor and sophomores Alec Nebel and Alex SparnWhitmer says: "Grove City and Hickory should be strong. We're hoping to finish in the top half of the region standings."UnionCoach: Jeff Hepler, first seasonLast year's record: The Golden Knights placed in the top half of the KSAC standings.Home Course: Clarion OaksTop returning players: seniors Scott Booth, Chase Carmichael and juniors Shawn Burns and Trent CorleIn the mix: juniors David Graham, Derek Shirey, sophomore Larissa Roberts and freshmen Derek Priester and Mary GrossHepler says: "We're very inexperienced this year, but the kids are working hard. We hope to go .500."