2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
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www.yoursun.com Page 27 the team's No. 1 player from the first practice and within two months helped the Bobcats record their lowest score in school history — a 158 in a 33-stroke win over Lemon Bay. He shot an 81 to finish in 10th place at districts, advancing to regionals where he shot another 81 to finish in 30th out of the 71-player field. Boys Golf Coach of the Year Rodney Taylor Taylor guided Port Charlotte to the state tournament for the third straight season despite fielding a six-to-seven man squad for the entire season. Taylor coached two-time Player of the Year Marc Kaneko-Fujii and two of his players — Lainhart and Starkey — are up for this year's award. Boys Golf Second Team Charlie Dillmore (Lemon Bay junior) One of the Mantas' most consistent scorers, Dillmore shot an 83 at regionals to help Lemon Bay finish in seventh place. Bryce Noll (Lemon Bay junior) Another reliable player for Lemon Bay, Noll placed fourth individually at the district tournament and shot an 86 at the regional tournament. Jackson Adams (Venice junior) One of several Indians to contribute out of a deep group, Adams shot an 80 for a top-10 finish at the district tourna- ment and recorded a team-best 79 in a win over Lemon Bay. John Piroli (Venice sophomore) It looks like Piroli will have a bright future at Venice after his sophomore season. He shot an 82 at the regional tournament and also led the Indians with a 38 in a win over Sarasota. Clayton Hayse (Charlotte sophomore) Hayse advanced to the regional tour- nament as an individual by shooting an 86 at districts. At regionals, he finished in a tie for 40th place with an 88. Girls Golf First Team Sara Tirb (Port Charlotte senior) Again the Pirates' No. 1 player, Tirb turned in another strong season — fin- ishing in second at the county champi- onship (83) and a share of first in the district tournament (82) with Lainhart. "Sara has shown serious dedication to her golf game this past year and the hard work paid off," Pirates girls golf coach Katie Root said. "It's sad that this is her last season with us. I think Sara could have advanced to the state tourna- ment with one more year of experience. She will be missed by her team, but we are proud of all she has accomplished." Elizabeth Ireland (Venice junior) Ireland was Venice's top player with a 43.1 average per nine holes — coming up with her team's lowest score in 16 of 25 matches. Her best round of the year came when she shot a 77 in a tourna- ment hosted by St. John Neumann in Naples. "This season Elizabeth was our Number 1 player throughout the entire season with a 43.1, 9-hole average, on some very difficult golf courses," Willgren said. "She worked extremely hard the entire offseason shaving 5 strokes off her average from last year to this year." Lydia Vaccaro (Venice senior) The Indians' lone senior, Vaccaro re- lied on an excellent short game to score well. The highlight of her season was posting back-to-back nine-hole scores of 41 and 40 at Palm Aire and Plantation, respectively. Julia Lewicki (Venice junior) The team's lowest scorer in six match- es this year, Lewicki has a long swing that produces a powerful shot. Her best scores of the year were two 40s — at Lakewood National and Waterford. Girls Golf Coach of the Year Cary Willgren Willgren has guided Venice two two regional appearances in the past two seasons. This year he fielded the area's best overall team, with three players averaging less than 45 strokes per nine holes. Girls Golf Second Team Kaitlyn Rogers (North Port junior) Rogers has made it through to regionals twice now as an individual — shooting a 98 in districts. Sydney Stevenson (North Port junior) Make it back-to-back years in the regional tournament for Stevenson, who shot a 93 at the district tournament to move on as an individual. Reese Davids (Lemon Bay senior) A member of the All-County team, Davids showed up big when Lemon Bay needed her — shooting a 91 in the dis- trict tournament and a 98 at regionals. Marie L'Abbe (Lemon Bay junior) A steady contributor for the Mantas again this year, L'Abbe was a member of the All-County team and shot a 97 at the district tournament to help her team finish in first. Lauren Ragazzone (Lemon Bay senior) A member of the All-County team, Ragazzone shot a 101 at the district tournament and a 105 at the regional tournament. BOYS & GIRLS GOLF FROM PAGE 26 SUN FILE PHOTO The Lemon Bay girls golf team won its sixth straight district championship this past year as the Lady Mantas were led by Girls Golfer of the Year Hailey Lainhart. Player of the year Hailey Lainhart (Lemon Bay senior) Lainhart and the Manta Rays finished one spot out from a second straight state tournament appearance — placing fourth at regionals. Still, it was another year of winning for the senior. She led her team to another district and county championship, often shooting in the mid to high 30s per nine holes. "Hailey was instrumental in leading our team to its sixth straight district title and third straight county championship," Lemon Bay girls golf coach Darrell Roach said. "She was our team co-captain and the low scorer for our team in every match this season." LAINHART