FINDLAY — The wind howled and the scores soared, but Ashland and Lexington survived to play another day.
The Arrows and Lady Lex finished one-two at the Division I sectional tournament at Sycamore Springs for a third straight year, punching their tickets to next week’s district tournament at Stone Ridge Golf Club.
Strong winds with gusts of up to 25 miles per hour wreaked havoc all day. Only one player, Lexington’s Mandy Ruminski, shot a round in the 70s.
A senior, Ruminski carded a 76 to take medalist honors. Ashland’s Kira Moore, last year’s sectional champ, was runner-up with an 84.
“The wind was pretty challenging today,” Ashland coach Tom Marquette said. “The scores don’t look very impressive but all things considered … we got it done.
“We started out in 15 mile-an-hour winds and it got worse as the day went on. There were times when I was afraid the ball was going to blow off the green. I was telling the girls to get up there and mark their ball before it rolled away.”
Ashland’s team total of 361 was 41 strokes higher than last year’s winning score (320) but good enough for an 18-stroke victory over Lady Lex (379). Wapakoneta (397), Clyde (404) and Findlay (417) also earned berths to next week’s district tournament. The top five teams and top five individuals not on a qualifying team advanced.
Ontario’s Brooklynn Adkins earned one of the individual bids. The sophomore carded a 94.
The adverse playing conditions didn’t seem to bother Ruminski. She finished just two strokes off last year’s district runner-up 74.
“Amanda played great. With those conditions, that’s more like a 70 or 68,” Lexington coach Michael Kathrein said. “It was very windy and, outside of Amanda, we didn’t play very well. It was one of our higher team scores but it was good enough to move on and that was the goal.”
Ashland’s top three golfers, Moore, Klaira Paramore and Sarah Anderson, finished within four strokes of one another. Anderson backed Moore’s 84 with an 87, while Paramare carded an 88. Emma Packard (102) and Livia Sponsler (104) rounded it out for the Arrows.
Moore, Paramore and Anderson were members of last year’s state-qualifying team. The Arrows finished sixth at state last year.
“These girls have tournament experience,” Marquette said. “I know Klaira and Sarah were a little disappointed with the way they played. Hopefully we can put it all together next week.”
For Lexington, Alaina Kathrein backed Ruminski with a 99. Trynity Wolfe was next with a 100, followed by Hannah Smith (104) and Alissa Wolfe (106).
“The girls weren’t happy with the way they played, but they advanced,” Kathrein said. “We have put ourselves in a position to challenge for a district championship and a state berth. We expect it to be pretty competitive next week.”
