Freedom’s Romeo claims individual crown
By Andy Warrener
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Steinbrenner girls golf steamroller was on display at Walden Lake Country Club in Plant City Oct.15, running over the competition at the Class 2A-District 10 tournament.
The Warriors cruised to a 338 team score, beating second place Plant City by 37 strokes. Freedom nabbed the third team spot with 382 and Wharton finished just outside of qualifying with a 394.
The Warriors rode the momentum of a 12-0 regular season to the championship. The fourth-year program has also advanced to regionals every year since the school opened in 2009.
“From top to bottom, this is the best team we’ve ever had,” said Steinbrenner coach Mark Mann.
The Warriors big five of sophomores Claire Becker (78), Kelsey Holbert (82), Kayla Poff (88) and Hanna Crosby (90) along with junior Brooke Deal (90) all finished in the top ten, with Becker taking second place individually.
Patriots sophomore Terese Romeo finished with a low round of the day, carding a three-over 75 two months after wrist surgery.
“I’d say I’m about 75 percent healed,” Romeo said. “I mean, I couldn’t play tomorrow if I had to.”
Romeo birdied the 14th hole to basically seal the victory. A smile finally broke out on her face after sinking the putt.
“It was kind of a redemption hitting those putts on the back nine,” Romeo said. “It’s the part of my game that’s suffered the most since the surgery. … I knew we (Romeo and Becker) were close, that there was no room for error.”
Steinbrenner and Freedom played Oct. 22 at Countryside Country Club for a shot at states. Results were not available by press time.
Stanger claims district crown
Gaither senior Jimmy Stanger entered the Class 2A-District 9 boys golf tournament as the defending individual champ, but he didn’t view himself as the favorite.
Last year, the University of Virginia commit also earned a spot at states and was named The Laker/Lutz News Boys Golfer of the Year, but he said he felt more anxiety than in 2011.
“To be honest, I was a heck of a lot more nervous out here than I was last year knowing I had another year,” Stanger said. “Knowing that this is my senior year and it was play well or go home, that’s what makes you a good golfer.”
Stanger delivered, carding an even-par 72 at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club Oct. 15, winning by five strokes.
The Cowboys were unable to advance as a team for the first time in seven years, finishing fifth.
Stanger competed in regionals at Temple Terrace Oct. 22. Results were not available by press time.
—Kyle LoJacono
Academy’s Echeberry wins title
It was unfamiliar territory for Mallory Echeberry.
After nervously waiting nearly two hours for the rest of the groups to finish at Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club in San Antonio, the Academy at the Lakes senior was sitting atop the scoreboard at the girls Class 1A-District 9 tournament Oct. 15.
Echeberry shot a 77, 11 strokes better than Wesley Chapel junior Hana Lee.
She was the academy’s only representative in the tournament and had never been to districts nor competed at the high school level in four years.
“I’m used to playing on my own, just for me, but now it feels like I’m playing for my school too and I have to represent them as well,” said Echeberry, a University of Akron commit. “It was a little more pressure, but it still feels good to do well.”
The road to the title wasn’t easy, as Echeberry’s group dodged scorching heat, bright afternoon sunshine and wildlife on the course.
The sprinklers came on the 15th green, forcing a delay after Echeberry missed a couple of shots, including one in the bunker.
Her frustration mounted before academy assistant Peggy Crowley stepped in to calm her down.
“(I told her), ‘It’s a game, it’s one day and it’s one hole,’” Crowley said. She added, “I just said, ‘Chill out, enjoy the day, you’re doing fine and whether you win or lose, it’s just one hole.’”
That talk brought back Echeberry’s confidence and led her to the win.
“I just stopped thinking about the bad shots I had and my struggling,” Echeberry said. “Really, (Crowley and I) weren’t talking about golf. We were talking about the deer we saw, and it was nice to get away from the golf on that short ride (to the 16th hole).”
One bad swing may have ended Lee’s chances for an individual title, but she advanced to regionals with her team.
Lee, who won an individual Sunshine Athletic Conference championship the week before, seemed under control early. Her critical mistake came on the eighth. She said she felt out of sync with her timing and balance from then on.
Lee, who did not compete in golf last season to focus on academics, congratulated Echeberry on her victory.
“I hope to play with her again (at regionals),” Lee said.
As a team, Wesley Chapel finished with a 502, behind Gulf (452) and Fivay (453). Because 1A-9 had only three full teams, each advanced to regionals.
The regional tournament was Oct. 22 at the Black Bear Golf Club in Eustis. Results were not available by press time.
—Jeff Odom
Freedom, Wharton advance
Freedom and Wharton finished second and third at the Class 2A-District 11 boys golf tournament Oct. 16 at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview to earn a regional berth.
The Patriots turned in a 312, 23 off Newsome’s championship pace. The Wildcats shot a 321.
Freedom’s top two rounds came from 2011 individual district champion Jimmy Jones (75) and teammate Trevor Moore (76). Wharton was led by Jorge Junquera (75) and Ricky Condon (78).
Steinbrenner finished fifth, missing the playoffs for the first time in the program’s four-year history.
The Patriots and Wildcats competed at the regional tournament Oct. 22 at Cypress Run Golf Club in Palm Harbor. Results were not available by press time.
CDS trio makes regionals
Carrollwood Day School (CDS) will have a trio of golfers in regionals.
Claudia Rami finished as the runner-up at the Class 1A-District 14 girls tournament at Emerald Greens Oct. 15, carding a 78. Fellow Patriots Austin Barkett and Kevin Park advanced out of the boys 1A-14 event at same course. The trio competed at regionals Oct. 22 at The Eagles Golf Club for a chance to play at states. Results were not available by press time.
