Prep Report: FM takes 2A-15 golf title
The Ida Baker Bulldogs fell four points short of qualifying for regionals at Monday’s District 2A-15 Golf Tournament at Arrowhead Golf Club in Naples.
The Bulldogs send one individual, though, to next Monday’s regional tournament at Heron Creek in North Port.
Junior Michael Faulkner earned that bid after firing a 3-over-par 75 Monday. Cape freshman Anthony Myers picked up the final individual berth by winning a one-hole playoff over Baker junior Dylan Fine.
The Bulldogs finished with a team score of 317, four strokes behind Gulf Coast for third place.
“We were peaking at the right time,” Baker coach Scott Conforte said. “Fourth place is pretty good, but when you get that close you always want a little bit more.”
Fine and Myers each shot 76, but Myers won the first playoff hole with a par on the par-5 to claim the final spot.
Cape and Mariner both finished with identical team scores of 325. Fort Myers won with 296, followed by Barron Collier 304 and Gulf Coast 313.
Cody Olson of Naples carded a 73 to claim the other individual spot not from one of the top three teams.
It’s the first regional appearance for both Faulkner and Myers.
Along with Faulkner’s 75 and Fine’s 76, a third junior, Bryr Austen, shot 83 for the Bulldogs, while senior Cody Byers came through with an 83.
That put the Bulldogs in legitimate contention in the team competition, but Gulf Coast’s top player Gabe Ruiz went low, finishing with a 71. He won the individual title in a playoff with Fort Myers’ Jonathan Lowrey.
Gulf Coast’s three other scores of 80, 81 and 81 were similar to Baker, but Ruiz’s 71 provided the pivotal swing.
District 2A-15 Tournament
at Arrowhead Golf Club
Team standings – (Top 3 teams advance) Fort Myers 296, Barron Collier 304, Gulf Coast 313, Ida Baker 317, Naples 319, Riverdale 324, Cape Coral 325, Mariner 325, Palmetto Ridge 338, North Fort Myers 380, Lehigh 437, East Lee no team score.
Top Individuals
1. Gabe Ruiz (GC) 71 (won 4th playoff hole); 2. Jonathan Lowery (FM) 71; 3. Airik Medinis (FM) 72; 4. Mike Andre (FM) 73; 4. Cody Olson (NAP) 73; 6. Michael Faulkner (CC-B) 75; 6. Phil Boljanovich (BC) 75; 6. Matt Lawrence (BC) 75.
Individual Qualifiers
Olson (N) 73; Michael Faulkner (IB) 75; Anthony Myers (CC) 76.
Cape Coral – Tyler Doyle 78, Anthony Myers 76, H. Halverson 82, Nick Dekeyser 89
Baker – Cody Byers 83, Michael Faulkner 75, Bryr Austen 83, Dylan Fine 76
Mariner – C.J. Cricco 77, Dean Hofer 86, Braden Junkins 82, Kyle Schulte 80
Volleyball
Ida Baker 3, Dunbar 0: Seniors Taylor Van Horn and Taryn Maymon delivered all-around performances, sparking the visiting Bulldogs to a sweep of Dunbar, 25-14, 25-9, 25-6.
Van Horn tallied seven kills, two blocks and four digs, and Maymon recorded six kills and seven blocks.
Senior Chelsea Shafer (five kills), sophomore Kali Nordquist (13 assists) and Chelsey Cline (four digs) contributed to the win.
The Bulldogs (15-6) recognize their eight seniors Tuesday when they host Island Coast.
North Fort Myers 3, Estero 0: The Red Knights executed in several phases and it added up to a three-game sweep of visiting Estero, 25-14, 25-13, 25-19.
Sophomore setter Susie McKeever led with 20 assists and five aces, while junior Jessica Petrucci compiled 15 digs and six aces.
North coach Jeremy Ridgeo said his team came ready to play against the Wildcats.
“We were pretty much in control,” Ridgeo said. “They did what they learned in practice. The passing made a difference and the serve receive made a difference.”
Miranda Ashby and Jessica Wagner were involved in the action for the Knights, slamming seven kills, respectively.
North (12-11) travels to Cypress Lake Tuesday.