Golden on the Greens

Area golf teams have returned to the course, driving for their chance at state glory this spring. With a returning state champion, a state runner-up, and several other participants at last year's state tournament among the local contenders, some impressive performances by top high school golfers are likely to take place on area courses. Boys Aledo (4A) Among 4A boys golf teams across the state, the Bearcats were top dogs last season. Aledo won the state title handily, pulling away from perennial power and second-place finisher Highland Park by 10 strokes. And although senior Trey Sullivan is the only returning starter from last year's gold medal group, Bearcats coach Greg Nelson feels good about his team's chances to be playing in May once again. "I would be highly disappointed if we don't make the state tournament," said Nelson, who fields a freshman in Jeffrey Merrell and two juniors in Jeremy Caldwell and Austin Struble to join Sullivan, his No. 1 player. "I feel pretty strongly that we can get out of regionals. That's kind of our goal right now, with how young a team we are." Arlington Heights (4A) The Yellowjackets return plenty of experience and talent from a team that finished fifth at the 4A state tournament last spring, led by sophomore Brax McCarthy, senior Austin Phillips and junior Scott Hargrove. Joined by newcomers John Bell (junior) and Steven Castillo (sophomore), Arlington Heights coach Rob Dixon said he feels good about his team's chances. "I've got players that, when we're playing well, we could qualify for the state tournament again, which is what we want to do," Dixon said. Heights looked impressive playing in the Bart Granger tournament last fall, finishing in the consolation with a 287 team score on the final day - one of the team's lowest scores in years. "They have good course management. We try to teach them that," said Dixon, who is assisted by coach Tom Bates. "If you have a bad hole, forget about it, just try to do well on the next one. Don't dwell on the mistakes and just keep battling." Fort Worth Paschal (5A) Paschal is another team that was hit hard by graduation last year. The Panthers, a team that won the title in 2006 and finished second to The Woodlands as a result of a first-place playoff at state last spring, have just one returning player from the previous starting five in senior Sean Smitherman. However, young talent such as sophomore Robert Perry in the top slot and sophomore Thomas Montigel, son of TCU men's head golf coach Bill Montigel, could provide quality performances that could give Paschal a shot at reaching the postseason once again. "This is the first since I've been here that I've had so much youth," Paschal head coach Trampas Wilson said. "I think we can eventually be a pretty good team, but you've got to just go do it." Wilson said participating in challenging tournaments should prepare them to face tough opposition such as Mansfield at district. "We've been practicing since August and everything's geared up for about a two-week stretch between district and region," he said. "That's what you play for and you just hope you're playing your best golf at the right time." Carroll (5A) Not reaching state is a foreign feeling for the Dragons, who won the boys state title in 2004 and 2005. Just missing a trip by finishing fourth at region in 2007, Carroll coach Matt Glenn feels confident in the ability of his young crew to be in the hunt to return this year. Returning four varsity members in captains Justin Willeman and Luke Thacker (both juniors), Jeff Hageman and Matt McClure, and adding newcomers in freshman Ty Dunlap and seniors Brandon Alexander and Brandon Stuart, this year's team has impressed Glenn. "They're young, but they've been playing under the wings of some really experienced players," he said. "They're grinders and they're figuring out how to put the ball in the hole." Dunlap set the record for the four-day scoring average among Carroll players, beating previous bests by former Dragon greats Jace Moore and Jeff Edelman. With plenty of promise from him and a mix of veteran experience and young talent, Glenn said the season should be exciting. "I think they have all the potential in the world," Glenn said. Other Boys Teams to Watch Mansfield (5A) finished eighth at region last season and is expected to have another strong team, giving Paschal all they can handle at the District 4-5A meet. Cleburne (4A) finished seventh at region and should prove a formidable foe for Aledo at the 8-4A tournament. Arlington Martin (5A), led by exceptional senior Taylor Knott, finished 11th at 5A Region I, while 4A team Western Hills (10th in region) and 3A program Kennedale (12-3A district champs) should also provide strong showings. Girls Aledo (4A) Once again, a golf team from Aledo appears to carry the most weight among area contenders. The Lady Bearcats look unstoppable on paper, returning all five from last year's starting lineup and a total of seven seniors, all on a team that finished third at the 4A state meet. "I have pretty high expectations for them, but I'm not too sure they don't have higher expectations of themselves," coach Greg Nelson said. "I try not to put too much pressure on them, but they'll be pretty disappointed if they don't win it all." Led by No. 1 player Katy Ward, Nelson said he's proud of his entire girls crew. Sterling Smith, Bailey Bearden, Laura Buyers and Katy Aldrich round out the top eight and bring state experience with them. Playing teams such as Montgomery, Lake Travis, Andrews and yet-to-be-confirmed Highland Park in tournaments this season, Aledo will play some of the top teams in state in either 4A or 3A. "We set up [the schedule] like they're going to the state tournament," Nelson said. Carroll (5A) After finishing third at state last year, a best for the Carroll girls program since its inception, the Lady Dragons return three of five starters from the 2007 edition, and with even more lofty goals. Having graduated Kelsey Rockey (Boston College) and Chandra Alexander (North Texas), returning seniors Kalie Presti and Sarah Hurt, as well as junior Brynn Donovan, intend to lead the way this year. Juniors Alexa Park, Taylor Slagle and Elizabeth Stone and freshman Kailey Glenn help round out the team. "They're talented ball strikers," coach Matt Glenn said. "But what makes them very competitive is that they've been there and done it. You can't exclude experience." Presti and Hurt serve as captains, but all of them are looking strong right now, Glenn said. An opportunity to return to Austin is within their grasp. "We're talented enough to do that, but you can't take anything for granted," Glenn said. Mansfield (5A) The Lady Tigers barely missed a trip to state last year, finishing fourth at the 5A Region I tournament. And even though Mansfield lost its top golfer in Paloma Nunez, who moved to Granbury, and a couple of talented graduates, the team has plenty of motivation to continue its success. "They've won district 17 years in a row, so they don't want to be the team that doesn't keep that going," said Mansfield coach Chris Coursey. "They know they're going to have to play well from top to bottom." Along with top returner in senior Brittany Beckett, a three-year varsity player, senior Ashley Body, junior Claire Whitis and sophomore Katie Grady are all expected to help the Lady Tigers compete with Granbury for the District 4-5A title. "It's going to take more of a team effort this year," Coursey said. Arlingon Heights (4A) Finishing ninth at region last year, the Lady Yellowjackets fell short of state last spring. However, some important players factor into this year's lineup that could result in continued success for the program. "I have just two girls coming back, but one of those two is (sophomore) Chelsea Mocio and the other is (senior) Mindy McCord," said coach Rob Dixon. "Mindy has been shooting in the mid 80s and getting better every day. We feel like (Mocio) has a chance to win every tournament she's in individually. She's a solid player." Mocio qualified for state as a freshman, finishing fourth overall with a two-day 149. Mocio and McCord will be joined by three freshmen newcomers in Susanna Feather, Amanda Rodela and Karleigh Riner. Dixon said Aledo will be his team's biggest challenge at region, along with some West Texas teams. "We'll do our best and see where we end up there," he said. Other Girls Teams to Watch Birdville (4A) finished 10th at region last year and could likely take the 7-4A district crown for a third consecutive season. Boswell (4A) took 11th at region and should serve as a challenge for Birdville in district competition. Arlington Martin (5A) took 13th at 5A Region I, while cross-town opponent Arlington Lamar (5A) should also fare well after a 14th-place performance at the regional competition. Boys Players to Watch Brax McCarthy, Arligton Heights: How good is McCarthy? Good enough to finish one stroke behind top individual honors at the 4A state meet last year. That was as a freshman, as his two-day 138 in Austin was second only to Adam Wennerstrom of Austin Lake Travis. "You can usually depend on him to shoot a low score from the mid or low 70s," said Arlington Heights coach Rob Dixon. "He's pretty consistent. He's a good, solid player." Trey Sullivan, Aledo: Sullivan was the Bearcats' top performer at the 4A state meet last year, finishing 71-69 - 140 at the tournament to finish tied for seventh overall. The senior will be looked to for leadership on a talented but young Aledo team. "He's the only one back and the only senior from that bunch (that won state in 2007)," Aledo coach Greg Nelson said. Taylor Knott, Arlington Martin: Although his team didn't earn a ticket to Austin last season, Knott represented the Warriors there individually as a junior. Knott shot a two-day 150 at the 5A state meet and is expected to serve Martin as a leader once again this season. Sean Smitherman, Fort Worth Paschal: Smitherman is the lone returner from the Panthers silver medal team at the 5A state meet last year. The senior will play in the No. 2 spot, but should provide the leadership and experience to help stabilize the young team. Girls Players to Watch Natalie Reeves, Trinity: Only a freshman last year, Reeves served as the driving force for the Lady Trojans. Reeves finished first overall at the 5A regional tournament, then finished tied for seventh at the state meet last May. Look for her to make some noise once again this spring. Chelsea Mocio, Arlington Heights: Another phenomenal freshman in 2007, Mocio finished fourth individually at the 4A state meet last year, serving as the Lady Yellowjackets only representative there. "She's improved," coach Rob Dixon said. "She's a real competitor. ... There's really not an area in her game that's not strong." Katy Ward, Aledo: Ward, a senior, was the top finisher for a Lady Bearcats team that took third at the 4A state meet last year. Shooting a two-day 150, Ward finished tied for sixth at the meet and will likely lead a talented team that is gunning for the title this spring. "She's a very quality player," coach Greg Nelson said. "She's a really hard worker and I hate to lose her." Kalie Presti, Carroll: Behind Lady Dragons graduate Kelsey Rockey, Presti had the next best performance at the 5A state meet last year, shooting a two-day 152. The senior will likely provide a boost for a talented Carroll team that will look to build on its best overall finish in team history.