Westminster’s Sorkin surges into lead at state golf tournament

Records tumble as opening round begins in Class 4A-3A

It took just one swing for Westminster’s Aaron Sorkin to know he was in for a strong showing on Wednesday during the opening round of the Class 4A-3A state championship golf tournament at the University of Maryland.

The Owls’ junior hit the green on the uphill par 314th hole to begin his day with an opening par, setting the tone for a one-under-par round of 70 that has him currently tied for the lead with Walt Whitman’s Dugan McCabe.

“On the range I was iffy, but by the time I walked off that first tee I knew that I was on it,” Sorkin said. “My ball striking was there all day and I stuck to my game plan coming in.”

The quality scoring, though, wasn’t just reserved for the boys leaders.

North Point’s Bailey Davis and Churchill’s Kaylin Yeoh each fired rounds of 69 (2-under) to grab a share of the girls individual lead, while three teams — Churchill (295), Wootton (296) and Urbana (299) — posted combined scores under 300.

It’s the first time in the history of the state tournament that more than two schools have broken 300 in the opening round. And the team cut score of 314, achieved by eight schools, is also the lowest it has ever been.

Overall, there are currently 12 players within three shots of the boys lead and seven players within five strokes of the girls leaders.

Centennial (310) is the only other Baltimore-area school to qualify for the final round as a team. Contrary to Marriotts Ridge, which has become a mainstay on the final day at states, this marks the first time since golf officially became a sport again in Howard County in 2005 that the Eagles have qualified for the second day of competition.

Freshman Dustin Stocksdale was the pace setter for Centennial with an opening-round 72 (one-over par) that has him in a tie for fifth place and just two shots behind the leaders.

Other Baltimore-area individuals that are in prime position to make a run at a state championship next Monday are Dulaney’s Ryan Choi (72, tied for fifth) and Atholton’s Branden Nguyen (73, tied for ninth) — both sitting within three shots of the lead.

Field hockey

No. 4 Severna Park 3, No. 6 Arundel 2: The Falcons (13-2) twice fell behind by a goal, but scored both goals in the second half and defeated the Wildcats (11-3-2) in Class 4A East region I and will advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2015 and will play in a state quarterfinal on Friday or Saturday.

No. 11 Broadneck 2, South River 1: An first-half score and surefire penalty stroke shot gave the Bruins 910-3) the edge it needed to bring down the defending Class 4A champion Seahawks, and clinch the Class 4A East Region II title.

Westminster 2, Mount Hebron 0: The host Vikings (10-3) dominated time of possession, shots and corners on Wednesday, but Westminster’s Kirby Henneman scored twice in the first half to lead the Owls (11-5) to an upset win over the host Vikings. The win in the Class 3A East Region 1 championship gives the Owls their fourth region crown in the last five years and 28th in program history.

No. 9 Notre Dame Prep 3, Maryvale 0: The host Blazers (9-8-2) shut out the Lions (6-13) in an Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference quarterfinal. The victory marked the third straight win and third shutout in a row. Notre Dame Prep travels to No. 1 Archbishop Spalding in Friday’s semifinal.

No. 13 Mount de Sales 5, Glenelg Country 1: The host Sailors (10-5-1) beat the Dragons (4-9) in an IAAM B Conference quarterfinal. Mount de Sales will host John Carroll, a 4-0 winner over Severn, in Friday’s semifinal

No. 14 Bryn Mawr6, St. Paul’s 0: Shayna Brodman scored twice and Maddie Gwyther had two assists to lead the host Mawrtians (9-3-1) over the Gators (2-9) in an IAAM B Conference quarterfinals. Bryn Mawr hosts St. Mary’s in Friday’s semifinal.

St. Mary’s 1, Roland Park 0: Gracie Driggs scored the game-winner to lift the host Saints (10-2-1) over the Reds (7-10) in an IAAM B Conference semifinal.

John Carroll 4, Severn 0: Kate Gromacki scored two goals and the Patriots (11-5) shut out the host Admirals (11-5-1) in an IAAM B Conference quarterfinal. Severn beat John Carroll, 1-0 in overtime, on Oct. 23.

Francis Scott Key 12, Catoctin 0: The host Eagles (10-3) used a six-game winning streak to close out the regular season and outscored those opponents by a combined 36-1 to stay hot entering playoffs. Those two byes set up a rematch with the Cougars (2-10-1) in the Class 1A West Region 1 final, and F.S. Key won and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

FSK defeated the Cougars15-0 on Sept. 10, the second of nine shutouts the Eagles have posted this fall.

Haines scored four goals, Jordan Blizzard scored three in a row, and Rachel Wright scored twice and notched an assist for the Eagles.