Maples stand tall in winning ninth regional in 10 years
Marian, Fenton both advance; turner, Johnson, Kurczewski all make individual cut
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
HOLLY — Few teams in Michigan have had more success at the regional level than Birmingham Seaholm in recent years. The Maples’ girls golf team has simply dominated in the past decade.
The Maples collected a play-five, count-four team score of 336 Thursday at Heather Highlands golf Course near Holly to win their ninth regional title in 10 years. The only time in that span that Seaholm didn’t win a regional was 2010.
“We’ve had a great run,” admitted Seaholm coach Leon Braisted. “And we’re really young this season. I didn’t know if we would win this season. But it’s a great accomplishment to win nine out of the past 10 years.”
SWING AWAY: Oxford's Hannah Beebe lets this drive fly towards the green during play at Thursday's Division 2 regional at Heather Highlands. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt.
The top three teams, plus the top three individuals not on qualifying teams, advance to the Lower Peninsula Division 2 state finals at Oakland University’s Katke Cousins Golf Course.
Braisted was bet by his players earlier in the week that if they won, he would have to dive into a pond next week. The veteran coach will need to get his swim trunks ready for October.
Seaholm landed four finishers in the top 15 in the medalist standings to prevail.
Essence Biggs shot a seven-over round of 79 to earn medalist honors. Rachel Wilson followed with an 83, Megan Lam shot 86, Riley Miller an 88 and Jamie Greene an 92 to all finish in the top 15 for Seaholm.
“We were really consistent,” said Braisted. “We had five good scores. We have some freshmen and sophomores on in (the top five), so for some of them this was their first regional.”
Birmingham Marian was second 344 and Fenton claimed third at 362 to also advance to the state finals. Birmingham Groves’ Jessica Turner (86) claimed sixth, while Alexandra Johnson of Holly tied for 10th (90) and Oxford’s Kyla Kurczewski finished 13th (91) to also make the cut as individuals. The rest of the top 13 finishers were golfers on the three qualifying teams.
Grosse Pointe North was a distant fourth at 384 and Oxford finished fifth (389) to round out the top five. Holly followed in sixth (403), while Bloomfield Hills Andover (405), Birmingham Groves (425), Ortonville Brandon (443) and St. Clair Shores Lakeview (470) followed suit. Berkley and Auburn Hills Avondale did not enter the four necessary golfers to compile a team score.
JUST A LITTLE TAP: Birmingham Seaholm's Megan Lam pushes the ball across the green during Thursday's Division 2 regional at Heather Highlands. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
For Marian, Ellen Manson was second with an 80, while Kelly Lughamer placed third (81), Macy Hudson fourth (82) and Bridget O’Hara (101) aided the Mustangs’ cause.
Tailer Przybyowicz led third-place Fenton with an 87, good for eighth overall. Samantha Moss (90), Olivia Fabatz (90) and Meghan Berry (95) contributed to the tigers’ team score.
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Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, High School, High School (M-Z), Holly, Ortonville Brandon, Oxford, Prep Wraps
