BOYS AND GIRLS GOLF: AT A GLANCE
• BOYS FAVORITE: Kentwood, Kentridge.
• GIRLS FAVORITES: Kentwood, Kentridge.
• BOYS CONTENDERS: Kentlake, Tahoma.
• GIRLS CONTENDERS: Kentlake, Tahoma.
• OUTLOOK: Every year, the area has proven to be a hotbed when it comes to the local golf scene. This fall and next spring should be no different. Of note, however, is the sheer strength of the junior class for both boys and girls. Kentridge’s Sean McMullen and Tahoma’s C.J. Munko, along with Kentwood’s Thomas Zavada and Kent Hagen, are all juniors who advanced to state last season. Meanwhile, female stars Rui Li of Kentwood and Lauren Sewell of Kentridge, both of whom are among the state’s elite golfers, also are juniors. As far as the races in each gender’s division, it appears to be a fight between Kentwood and Kentridge on both sides. For the boys, the Conquerors will be mighty difficult to knock off with Zavada (11th at state) and Hagen (38th at state) back in the mix. But Kentwood goes more than just two deep, which makes it the favorite. Behind Hagen and Zavada is the return of Tyler Clavin and Riley Kuranishi. Adding to the strength is senior Aaron Dost, who won the JV medalist title a year ago. But Kentridge can’t be overlooked with McMullen, who took sixth at state last spring, and senior Garik Kosai, last year’s No. 3, also returning. The Chargers did graduate Chris Cho, now at the University of Idaho, one of the area’s best for several years. Losing a player of Cho’s caliber clearly will hurt the Chargers in the team race. And if Kentwood and Kentridge aren’t careful, Tahoma could sneak up and win this division, particularly if Munko continues his ascension. But it’s not all about Munko with the Bears, as they have four other varsity returners: Danny Swinford, Jeremy Johnson, Jonathan Choi and Eric Enders. That depth should help in head-to-head competition. Kentlake remains the sleeper on the boys side. The Falcons don’t yet have any marquee names, but they do return plenty of quality, led by senior Mathieu Dubeau and juniors Karl Dubeau and Nick Lodato. Like Tahoma, the Falcons can boast plenty of depth, going 13 deep on their returning list of players. That should come in handy during league competition. Kentwood’s girls also return plenty of depth, led by Li, who will be among the favorites to win the state title in the spring. Li won’t be alone in Conqueror colors, with Catherine Drake and Alyssa Nagai, among others, ready to make a push. Though Kentwood has the depth, Kentridge likely has the best 1-2-3 punch in the league with Sewell (fifth at state), Krystina Zerr (21st at state) and the return of Leah Hollingsworth. On the fringe likely will be Kentlake and Tahoma. The Falcons return juniors Lindsey Douglas and Kelli Wyatt, which should help them be competitive. However, when it’s all said and done, the girls division likely will be a battle between Kentridge and Kentwood.
• NOTABLE: John Flanigan, Charlie Mitchell and Mark Champoux are taking over coaching duties this year at Kentridge for Todd Nicholson. … Tahoma graduates Mason LeMay, Erik Tronvig and Brett DePasquale are all now playing at Green River Community College.
• CIRCLE THE CALENDAR: Sept. 30, Kentridge at Kentwood (boys and girls) — With three matches remaining on the regular-season schedule, this could very well decide the North champion on both sides. Sept. 30, Tahoma at Kentlake (boys and girls) — Plenty of local talent on hand in this one. Oct. 22-23, medalist and state qualifying tournament, Gold Mountain — The drive to the Bremerton course is worth it to see the SPSL’s best swing it.
— Erick Walker/The Reporter
