Shelby Township, Utica

Local golf, tennis teams fare well at regionals, states are next

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Erin Sanchez Utica High’s girls golf team won its regional competition and will play for a state title Oct. 19-20 at Forest Akers East on the campus of Michigan State University. Pictured is Utica sophomore Killian Casson practicing before a competition earlier this season. Photo by Erin Sanchez Utica High’s girls golf team won its regional competition and will play for a state title Oct. 19-20 at Forest Akers East on the campus of Michigan State University. Pictured is Utica sophomore Killian Casson practicing before a competition earlier this season.

Regional competitions for girls golf and boys tennis were held last week. Local squads competed for a chance to head to the upcoming state finals, held Oct. 19-20 at various locations.

Here are some regional golf highlights from local teams and a schedule of what’s next. For more details, visit www.mhsaa.com. For photos from golf and tennis regionals and more postseason coverage, visit our website at www.candgnews.com.

Girls golf
In golf, the top three teams in each regional tournament advance, as do the top three individuals on non-qualifying teams.

Utica High and Macomb Lutheran North won their respective regional competitions.

The Chieftains took first place at Dearborn Country Club Oct. 12, finishing with a team score of 331. Taylor Clark led the way, medaling with a score of 74. Rounding out the Chieftains’ effort was Julia Montgomery (79), Killian Casson (82), Samantha Merandi (96) and Courtney Clark (101).

Utica Stevenson’s Alison DeSantis (88) qualified as an individual from the Dearborn regional.

Lutheran North won its regional with a team score of 376 Oct. 10 at Stony Creek Golf Course. The Mustangs were led by Samantha Banaszak (88), Miranda Weatherly (93), Rachael Booth (96), Kelly Murdock (99) and Katie Humphreys (103).

The Division 1 state final is at Forest Akers East on the campus of Michigan State University. The Division 4 final is at MSU’s Forest Akers West. The tourney start at 10 a.m. both days.

Boys tennis
Utica Eisenhower’s boys tennis team finished second in its Division 1 regional, hosted by Romeo High. Port Huron Northern won the regional, while Romeo also advanced to states.

In tennis, teams had to finish in first or second, or finish third and earn 18 points at the regional. Individuals from non-qualifying teams can advance if they made the final in the No. 1 singles flight.

The Division 1 state finals are at the Midland Community Tennis Center.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1040. Follow Jon on Twitter.