St. Mary CC boys golfers finish 1st at SBC tournament

OREGON — St. Mary Central Catholic picked a good time to go low. The Panthers shot a season-best 320 to edge Ottawa Hills by two strokes in the Sandusky Bay Conference boys golf championship tournament Tuesday at Eagles Landing Golf Club. SMCC sophomore Joey Finneran took home medalist honors with a 3-over 75. In the overall season standings, Ottawa Hills won with 62 points, followed by SMCC with 47. Margaretta finished third with 39 points and Danbury was fifth with 34. Margaretta finished third (331) on Tuesday and Danbury was fourth (335). "Today was really fun, you know," Joey Finneran said. "I had nerves at the end, but at the end of day it was a fun experience." Finneran started strong with a birdie and added birdies on Nos. 15 and 18. Finneran was Conference Player of the Year, while SMCC's Leo Will also finished as a first-team All-SBC performer. Margaretta's Gavin Berg tied for second Tuesday with a 78 and also made the SBC first team. "I felt like I had a good day, but I left some shots out there," Berg said. "As a team, I feel like all season we have left some shots out there and it hurt our scores during some of these shootouts." On a day that included a slight breeze and ideal conditions, SMCC rode the performance from Finneran as well as getting solid performances from Will (81) and Pravir Gorty (81), who was honorable mention All-SBC. "Looking at today, I thought the guys did great," SMCC coach Sean Finneran said. "We had two or three guys have their best round of the year. They showed up and played really well. I am very proud of them." Will and Gorty tied with Frankie Kovach of Danbury in sixth position at 81. Lucas Adams shot an 83 to round out SMCC's scorecard. Finneran could not be more proud of his teammates and their performance. "Lucas and Carson really stepped up today," Joey Finneran said. "Leo (Will) and Pravir (Gorty) also played really well. Today was a really stress-free win." Behind the Panthers in third was Margaretta at 331. Adding to Berg's 78 were Benjamin Norin (82), Jaxson Bohn (84) and Phinneus Headley (87). "As a team we definitely have things to work on before sectionals, but the guys' spirits are up," Berg said. "Each match is a new day and we will build going into sectionals." Frankie Kovach paced Danbury and was followed by Charlie Kovach (82), Logan Shepherd (83) and Mason Kihlken (89). "I think it was a solid 81," Frankie Kovach said. "I left a few shots out there. I am proud of my team for how far we have come throughout the season. I think we have had the best season as a team throughout my four years." Up next for Margaretta and SMCC is the Erie County Championship at Plum Brook Country Club. Margaretta will then tee off in the Division II sectional at Woussickett Golf Course on September 24. Danbury and SMCC will travel to the Division III sectional at Green Hills Golf Course on September 24. "This was a big win for us," Sean Finneran said. "This will help get us ready for sectionals and it is something to build on. I am pretty excited to see what the postseason looks like for us." Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic dominated the girls SBC championship with a 389. SJCC's Ryan Dickman was medalist with an 81. SMCC's Alexis Langenberg finished fifth at 102 and was named to the All-SBC second team. SBC BOYS TEAM RESULTS 1. St. Mary CC, 320; 2. Ottawa Hills, 322; 3. Margaretta, 331; 4. Danbury, 335; 5. Fremont SJCC, 343; 6. Lakota, 350; 7. Woodmore, 351; 8. Gibsonburg, 409; 9. Northwood, 527 TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS1. Joey Finneran, SMCC, 75; 2. Graham Hill, Ottawa Hills, 78; 2. Gavin Berg, Margaretta, 78; 4. Gus Hill, Ottawa Hills, 79; 5. Luke Jenkins, SJCC, 80; 6. Pravir Gorty, SMCC, 81; 6. Frankie Kovach, Danbury, 81; 6. Ethan Jenkins, SJCC, 81; 6. Leo Will, SMCC, 81; 6. Parker Boss, Woodmore 81 SBC GIRLS TEAM RESULTS 1. Fremont SJCC, 389; 2. Woodmore, 417; 3. Gibsonburg, 447; 4. Margaretta, 460; 5. St. Mary CC, 499 TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS 1. Ryan Dickman, SJCC, 81; 2. Abbey Tucker, Woodmore, 93; 3. Elly Evarts, Gibsonburg, 95; 4. Norah Root, SJCC, 98; 5. Alexis Langenberg, SMCC, 102; 6. Jordyn Dunn, Woodmore, 103; 7. Kayda Crawford, SJCC, 104; 8. Addie Peterson, SJCC, 106; 9. Lexi Martin, Woodmore, 107; 10. Olivia Brown, Margaretta, 109; 10. Sydney Alldredge, Gibsonburg, 109