NORTON — A sunny, 72-degree day didn’t result in sizzling scores at Barberton Brookside Country Club, but Highland’s boys golf team certainly wasn’t complaining.
Though not necessarily their top priority Monday, the Hornets (322) got a 79 from ace Chad Dubiel and played well enough to win the Barberton Brookside Division I Sectional by four strokes over Medina (326) and eight over Wooster (330) and Revere (330).
Medina’s Joe Kerrigan tees off on the second hole at Barberton Brookside Country Club during the sectional tournament. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)
The victory was Highland’s first since taking three straight D-II sectional titles from 1999-2001. It also marked the third time in four tries under coach Andrew Dutt the Hornets advanced to the Pine Hills District.
“I think it was in the back of our mind to win it, but we never really said it was our goal,” Dubiel said. “We all just wanted to play good and get out. Obviously, we didn’t want to get out in fourth. We’re happy to win it.”
Dubiel was disappointed with his short game — he had 41 putts — but still finished with a top-five score on the 6,587-yard, par-72 layout. Junior Robby Guba continued his late-season surge with an 80, always-steady senior Andrew Klafczynski added an 81 and sophomore Ross Scherler (82) capped the scoring.
There were no elaborate celebrations or beaming smiles. The Suburban League American Division champion Hornets expected to advance and felt they should have played better.
That was because they knew scores were a little high across the board, as the previous four sectional winners shot 303, 318, 307 and 309.
“We’re definitely happy,” Dubiel said. “Everyone’s disappointed with how they played, but we all played decent enough. We can all put the round behind us now and move on to districts.”
Greater Cleveland Conference kingpin Medina had a similar feeling, as it will make a return trip to districts in Chris Miller’s first year as coach.
Senior All-Gazette choice Joe Kerrigan’s 77 was the top score on the board for most of the day. St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Dustin Buehler eventually came in with a 75, but Kerrigan still was pleased with runner-up medalist.
Junior Tyler Grabowski and senior Hunter Churchman added 81s, while GCC Tournament standout Avery Borak chipped in an 87.
“The whole goal today is to just get to districts, so as a team we got there,” Kerrigan said. “I played pretty decent. I had a solid front side — I shot even — and I kind of lost it a little on the back, but all in all it was a solid day.
“We could have played a little bit better, but I think we can build off this and go a little further next week.”
Brunswick (336) was six strokes behind the final sectional berth, as sophomores Max Toom (84) and Evan Gray (84) led the way.
Wadsworth (340) finished a disappointing ninth on its home course — Justin Vaughan (80) missed an individual district bid by one stroke — while Greg Briggs’ 85 paced Cloverleaf (15th, 388), which was without No. 2 Andrew Young (post-secondary tests).
Results
NORTON — Results from the Barberton Brookside Division I Sectional at par-72 Barberton Brookside C.C.:
Team standings (top 4 advance to Pine Hills District): 1. Highland 322, 2. Medina 326, 3. Wooster 330, 4. Revere 330, 5. Tallmadge 335, 6. Brunswick 336, 7. Hoban 337, 8. Copley 339, 9. Wadsworth 340, 10. St. Vincent-St. Mary 353, 11. Norton 354, 12. Ellet 363, 13. Firestone 363, 14. Barberton 384, 15. Cloverleaf 388,16. Coventry 390, 17. Springfield 402.
Highland (322): Chad Dubiel 79, Robby Guba 80, Andrew Klafczynski 81, Ross Scherler 82, David Laib 89.
Medina (326): Joe Kerrigan 77, Tyler Grabowski 81, Hunter Churchman 81, Avery Borak 87, Colin McClowry 93.
Brunswick (336): Max Toom 82, Evan Gray 84, Cameron MacLellan 85, Preston Levandowski 85, Jonathan Cappallozzo 100.
Wadsworth (340): Justin Vaughan 80, Alex Moran 85, Jake Braumbaugh 86, A.J. Arch 89, Nick Hassinger 92.
Cloverleaf (388): Greg Briggs 85, Jake Stevens 89, Jack Lewarchick 94, Dylan Phillips 120, Frank English 131.
Individual qualifiers: Dustin Buehler (St. Vincent-St. Mary) 75, J.T. Forester (Co) 78, Justin Bisesi (Hoban) 79, Jared Landwehr (Tallmadge) 79.