After rolling to a 14-0 regular-season record in dual matches - and going 13-0 to win the All-American Conference, National Division and overall titles - the Girard boys golf team kept its run going Monday in a Division II sectional at Candywood Golf Course.
The Indians shot 308 to win the sectional by 14 shots over runner-up Poland. The other two teams that advanced to districts were Hubbard (324) and Newton Falls (324).
"It feels great. That was one of our main goals to set out and do," Girard coach Josh Marsh said. "Everyone is excited about it and to do it in the fashion we did, to beat a very good Poland team by 14 shots, says a lot about Girard golf. Each time we set out to improve on the round we shot prior. The guys took care of business and won in pretty dominant fashion."
Girard's Jimmy Standohar and Hubbard's Justin Hallapy were the medalists, each shooting a 74 on the par-72 course.
"It's kind of funny. On the first hole I watched him tee off," Marsh said of Standohar. "He hit a tee shot that must have been 60 yards left. Then he chunks his second shot and just made it over the creek, then buries a 30-foot putt for par. He grinded it out and drained a 30-footer for par and went about his business."
The four individuals advancing who were not on advancing teams were Chandler Verhas (75) and Kurtis Kassay (76) of Grand Valley, Gerry Booze of LaBrae (78) and South Range's B.J. Schmitt (78).
The district tournament will be next Tuesday at Windmill Lakes Golf Course in Ravenna.
The other teams competing were Mooney (335), Lakeview (336), Ursuline (343), LaBrae (344), Champion (345), Grand Valley (345), Pymatuning Valley (354), Salem (356), Struthers (357), Southeast (369), South Range (375), Brookfield (377) and Liberty (400).
Girard got strong scores from all four of its players. In addition to Jimmy Standohar's 74, Evan Standohar shot 75, Mark Standohar had a 77 and Nick Krajcirik carded an 82.
"We were able to get a practice round in, plus we played the AAC championship there," he said. "It prepared us for what we needed to do. During the practice round we shot a 306. Today was the first time all three Standohars really clicked. It was really good shooting. Nick had the potential all year to shoot 82 and today he came out and did it. It takes us one step closer to being able to play in Columbus."
With the first step out of the way toward their ultimate goal, Marsh said the Indians will practice at Windmill Lakes Wednesday and Sunday in preparation for next Tuesday's round.
"The course is tough. It's long," Marsh said. "You don't get too much roll out of your shots. If you hit the ball over the green it's not a good thing because the greens slope down. You've got to keep the ball on the fairway because the rough is kind of tough. Jimmy and Mark hit it straight off the tee, while Evan and Nick will have no problem with length."
