TFA, Windermere Prep lead 1A state golf

Meiyi Yan recorded four birdies and an eagle on the back nine to lead a charge that put defending champion The First Academy well out in front in the Class 1A girls golf state championships on Monday.

Windermere Prep, which won the 2016 boys title but fell short of qualifying for state a year ago, also surged down the stretch and holds the keys to another state crown after shooting a 302 in breezy weather on Mission Inn’s El Campeon course in Howey-in-the-Hills. The Lakers lead by three shots over Jacksonville Providence and Palm Beach Gardens Benjamin going into today’s final 18 holes of play.

If TFA and Windermere Prep hold on it would mark the sixth consecutive year that coverage area teams swept both 1A titles.

Yan is tied for the individual girls lead after firing a 5-under-par 67 on the Las Colinas course to lead her team to a 295 team total that puts the Royals 10 strokes ahead of second place Providence.

“She was incredible on the back nine today,” TFA coach Chris Bateman said.

Yan, a senior who is the object of high-level college recruiting attention, warmed up for the FHSAA finals by shooting a 67 Sunday to win the two-day Golfweek International Invitational on the state finals course.

Lake Mary Prep’s JD Driscoll and John DuBois of TFA stand second and third in the boys individual competition with scores of 69 and 70, respectively.

Eric Berggren, who was a sophomore member of Windermere Prep’s 2016 state title run, led his team at even par 72.

“We have three seniors on the team,” said Lakers coach Kyle McClone. “It will be pretty special if they can finish their careers on a high note.”

TFA’s boys are in the hunt, just five shots back, after carding a 307. John Dubois shot 70 to lead the Royals.

Avarius Sparrow and Jadan Robinson each scored two touchdowns as state-ranked Jones (9-1) closed its football regular season with a 48-0 romp past Evans (1-8) at Camping World Stadium.

It was 41-0 at the half, triggering the running clock.

“We got guys who can do things with the ball in their hands,” said Jones head coach Elijah Williams. “As an offensive staff, we just got to find ways to get guys the ball.”

The boys team for Apopka and the girls team for Circle Christian each captured a fifth consecutive district championship on Tuesday at Wekiva Lanes.

The Blue Darters, in pursuit of an unprecedented sixth consecutive state championship, were the top team out of qualifying and went 3-0 in the Baker tournament.

Circle Christian’s girls, led by sisters Alexa and Ainsley Chambers, rolled past Trinity Prep and Lake Wales (twice) to win. The Circle Christian boys also advance to state as District 8 runners-up.

Individually, Apopka’s Nathan Wesley was the top boys finisher during qualifying with a 706 threegame series, followed by teammate Ben Bailey (703).

Evans’ Patricia Rosales placed first in the girls competition with a 693 total.

Taylor Head and Italia Bollo led West Orange (21-6) from the brink of elimination to a 9A girls volleyball region final victory at Timber Creek.

Head smacked 21 kills in a 23-25, 25-20, 18-25, 27-25, 15-10 victory over the Wolves (21-4). Timber Creek was up 23-16 in the fourth set, needing only two more points to dethrone the 2017 state champs.

West Orange will host top-ranked Oviedo in next Tuesday’s region final round.

Oviedo (25-4), the No. 1 ranked team in 9A and the Sentinel Super Six area rankings, recovered from a third-set meltdown and beat visiting Spruce Creek 3-1.

Senior Savannah Vach had 19 kills and 17 assists for the Lions, who have won 11 consecutive matches.

Host Hagerty proved to be too much for previously-unbeaten East Ridge in 8A volleyball, winning 25-15, 25-18, 25-19 at home.

Senior Leandra Mangual delivered 14 kills, 7 digs and 3 blocks to lead the host Huskies (25-4), who advance to next Tuesday’s region final at Tampa Plant.

Except for an ace by the Knights (25-1) junior standout Naomi Cabello to start the third set, Hagerty never trailed.

Geneva School (16-6) punched its ticket to 2A volleyball final four for the sixth consecutive season with a 25-8, 25-14, 25-20 win over Morningside Academy (24-7) in Port St. Lucie. Emmalise Dunnavan and Connelly Renfrow led the Knights.

Elsewhere, Bishop Moore (18-10) lost 3-0 at Merritt Island (27-2) in Class 6A; and Dr. Phillips (22-7) and Montverde Academy (16-12).