Alter High boys on familiar course for district tourney
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but things could be falling into place for the Alter Knights boys golf team.
The last time the Knights won the Greater Catholic League title and the Division II sectional tournament in the same season was 2012. That’s also the last time the team qualified for the state tournament. Alterwon both league and sectional titles this year.
Alter carries that momentuminto theD-II district tournament at Beavercreek Golf Course on Thursday. The Knights practiced at Beavercreek during the summer, as well as at sectional tournament site Pipestone GC, and held team tryouts at both courses.
“Familiarity with the golf course is always helpful. I think that bodes well for us,” Alter coach Alex Schuster said. “But anything can happen. I had them playing at Beavercreek during the summer in preparation. That’s going to help us get ready for district and hopefully bringing it home.”
The Knights’ team depth was on display at sectional. No. 1 golfer and junior Nick Kreusch shot the team’s highest score with 83. His teammates pickedhimupas sophomore No. 2 A.J. Pothast shot 79, senior No. 3 Adam White 78, sophomore No. 4 Jack Norman 75 and junior No. 5 Ethan Ditzel 80. Alter beat runner-up Oakwood by 16 strokes.
“Oakwood is always tough and they’re experienced. I thinkwe finished runner-up to them at sectional the last couple years,” Schuster said. “Summit Country Day is a really good team. Indian Hill andWyoming are pretty strong as well. Hopefully we can turn things around this year.”
The top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying teamadvance to next week’s state tourney.
“We’ve got some good youngplayersandsomesolid returning leadership,” Schuster said. “Thekidshave really gotten a lot of experience the last couple years. We’re hopingwe can make that return trip this year. ... It’s definitely one of the toughest districts in the state really in any level. The state champion comes out of the Southwest district quite often. Our goal is to first qualify for state. Goal No. 2 is to win the district.”
Oakwood and Eaton join Alter at the D-II district. Valley View senior Ben Herman, the sectional tournament medalist, qualified as an individual.
In the Division III district tournament, Lehman Catholic and Newton lead the way. The tournament will be held today at the Glenview Golf Course near Cincinnati.
The Cavaliers, led by senior Tyler Lachey’s 78, won the D-III sectional title at Arcanum’s Beechwood Golf Course last week. The Indians, pacedby junior Chet Jamison’s 78, claimed the sectional title at Turtle Creek Golf Course in Greenville.
Fort Loramie, Franklin-Monroe and Twin Valley South also qualified out of Beechwood for the D-III district tournament.
The boys and girls Division I district tournaments follow next week.