Versailles girls golf rolls to Div. II sectional title

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VERSAILLES — The Versailles girls golf team took the drama out of things from the start on Wednesday at the Division II girls sectional golf tournament at Stillwater Valley Golf Club and earned a spot in next week’s district tournament at Pipestone Golf Club in Miamisburg.

The Tigers, who won their first Div. II district title a year ago, will get to defend it after rolling to the sectional title. Versailles shot a 366 to win by 62 strokes over second-place Fort Loramie (426), which also qualifies for the district tournament. The top four teams advance to districts, as do the top four individuals not on a qualifying team.

“We have bigger goals ahead,” Versailles coach Joe Harmann said after his team won the sectional title. “It was great for the girls to have that experience of winning district last year and playing well at state — and having everybody back but Lauren Heitkamp.”

The Tigers, as always, were a picture of consistency.

While defending state champion Sarah Willis of Eaton was the medalist with a 69, Versailles put two girls in the 80s and two girls in the 90s.

“There have been girls around here who can shoot around par and people always tell me, you don’t have any girls like that,” Harmann said. “And I tell them, that is what makes us such a great team.”

Jorja Pothast was coming off a career-low, 18-hole score of 87 at the MAC tournament on Saturday and took it a little lower on Wednesday with an 83 to lead the Tigers. She placed third overall individually.

“Confidence is a great thing,” Pothast said. “I have been playing really well the last couple of weeks. I just felt really solid out there all day.”

Which is no surprise to Harmann.

“It has been the story for Jorja (Pothast) since her freshman year,” Harmann said. “Every time we need her to play well, she does. She steps up in big moments. She follows a career-low round on Saturday by shooting four shots lower today.”

Lauren Durham had an 88 and was fourth overall individually, followed by Morgan Barlage with a 97 and Morgan Heitkamp with a 98.

“Lauren (Durham) is our “Steady Eddie’,” Harman said. “She doesn’t make any mistakes. She doesn’t have any big numbers. She was shooting her best scores earlier in the year, but she is getting back on track. Morgan (Heitkamp) is just an athlete. She was a little cool at the start of the year, but she is another one that has been coming on.”

And the Lady Tigers aren’t satisfied yet.

“Of course, we want to get back to state,” Harmann said. “That is the goal. But, you have to take it one step at a time.”

Riley Middendorf led Fort Loramie with a 103. Savannah Henning had a 106, Grace Ruhenkamp had a 107 and Amy Eilerman had a 110.

Riverside’s Dana Jones shot a 97 and tied for seventh overall but earned the No. 4 individual qualifying spot for districts.

Riverside finished sixth overall out of 15 teams. Aside from Jones, Kierstyn Severt had a 99, Mereana Steely had a 120 and Rachel Taylor had a 129.

Anna finished 13th. Olivia Pulfer had the best score for the Rockets with a 110, while Maura Rose had 122, Morgan Meyer had 128 and Riley Thobe had 139.

Dayton Division II boys sectional

The Versailles boys golf team finished ninth in the Dayton Division II sectional tournament at PipeStone Golf Club in Miamisburg with a 372.

Sophomore Connor VanSkyock missed advancing as an individual by one shot. He tied for 15th overall with an 84. Fenwick’s Alex Abbott was the No. 4 qualifier with an 83.

Other Versailles scores were Austin Pleiman with an 89, Will Eversole with a 98, Preston Platofoot with a 101 and Alex Keiser with a 101.

Versailles’ Jorja Pothast chips onto the 14th green Wednesday at Stillwater Valley Golf Club.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/09/web1_jorjapothast-5.jpgVersailles’ Jorja Pothast chips onto the 14th green Wednesday at Stillwater Valley Golf Club. Rob Kiser | AIM Media Midwest
Fort Loramie girls finish second and earn district berth, while Riverside’s Jones qualifies individually

By Rob Kiser

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Sidney Daily News sports editor Bryant Billing contributed to this article. Billing can be reached at [email protected].

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