Loudoun High School Golf Capsules

By Matt Brooks (Contact)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

BRIAR WOODS

Coach: Bob Vitti (third year).

Last Season: Won Virginia AA Dulles District regular-season (7-0) and tournament titles, won Region II tournament and advanced to states, finishing seventh.

Key Returning Players: Michael Birmingham (Sr.) — Won individual district (72) and Region II (68) tournaments; Carl Brendes (Sr.) — Shot five-over-par 79 at Region II tournament; Spenser Burcak (Sr.) — Finished third at districts (75), shot team-low 78 at state tournament; Jonathan Howard (Jr.) — Finished fifth at districts (77), and shot five-over 79 at Region II tournament.

Top Newcomers: Adam Ochs (Fr.) — Finished two-day tryouts with the lowest score on the team (143).

Outlook: The Falcons cruised to an undefeated regular season and beat the field by 18 strokes at the district tournament to advance to the Region II tournament, which they also won. It was a different story at the state tournament, where they finished seventh but gained plenty of motivation for the 2008 campaign. With a roster full of seniors, Briar Woods is expected to take the district again this year and make a return trip to regionals at the very least, but they could be pushed by several other district teams.

From the Tee Box: “We want to win districts and regionals and get back to states and play better. Not necessarily finish higher, but we just want to play up to our highest potential at states. We want to win it, but we have to play to our potential at each level of competition.” — Senior Michael Birmingham.

BROAD RUN

Coach: John Costello (seventh year).

Last Season: Finished fifth at Dulles District tournament.

Key Returning Players: Kevin Yerks (Sr.) — Shot an 80 at Region II tournament; Tyler Campos (Sr.); Isaac Wharton (Sr.); Austin Moser (Sr.); Tim Sanders (Sr.) — Back after a one-year absence to play football.

Key Losses: Bryan Buckner, Jeremy Davis.

Top Newcomers: Ryan Cartee (Jr.), Andrew Londos (Jr.).

Outlook: After a fifth-place finish at the district tournament last year, the Spartans return a deep, experienced group of golfers looking to challenge Briar Woods for the league crown. With an impressive 303 (just five strokes back of the Falcons) at Wednesday’s Curly Licklider Memorial and Yerks bringing back tournament experience from his trip to regionals, Broad Run is poised to contend for a spot in the Region II tourney.

From the Tee Box: “I think we’ll be in a good spot to have a shot at the top. We’ve got experience and it’s only a matter of time before some of our guys break out. Campos finished fourth at the Curly Licklider and we expect big things from him and it’s nice to have a solid performer back in Tim Sanders.” — Coach Costello.

DOMINION

Coach: Anne Gasser (second year).

Last Season: Finished seventh at Dulles District tournament.

Key Returning Players: Shelby Shote (So.) — Finished in the top 20 at states; Keri Muse (Sr.) — Qualified for state tournament; Michael Biller (Sr.); Tyler Martinez (Sr.); Kevin Cook (Jr.).

Key Losses: Micah Bush.

Top Newcomers: Zach Glascock (Sr.), Dalton Brown (Sr.).

Outlook: The Titans made big strides last year with victories over crosstown rivals Potomac Falls and Park View. This year, they’re looking to take another step up the district ladder. Although just a sophomore, Shote has already flashed her talent and she could pick up the torch by former Dominion star Sara Hurwitch as the team’s No. 1. Both she and Muse will look to lead an experienced team.

From the Tee Box: “We think we should be right there in the middle of the district this year. Our goal is to have three players shoot in the 70’s each time out and if we can do that, we expect to be in the middle of the pack.” — Coach Gasser.

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Briar Woods Golf

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Briar Woods senior Spenser Burcak watches the flight of his ball during a Tuesday morning practice at Brambleton Golf Course. Burcak is one of eight returning seniors from the Falcons' 2007 state tournament team. (Matt Brooks)

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Briar Woods senior Michael Birmingham warms up on the driving range at Brambleton Golf Course before practice on Tuesday. Birmingham, who helped lead the Falcons' to back-to-back Dulles District tournament titles, is the reigning individual district champion. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Briar Woods golf coach Bob Vitti chats with senior Spencer Burcak at Tuesday's practice at Brambleton Golf Course. Vitti led the Falcons to Dulles District and Region II tournament titles last season as well as the school's first state tournament appearance. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Briar Woods senior Carl Brendes follows through on his shot at the driving range during Tuesday's practice at Brambleton Golf Course. Brendes is one of eight returning seniors from the Falcons' back-to-back Dulles District tournament champion teams. (Matt Brooks)

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Briar Woods senior Michael Birmingham warms up on the driving range at Brambleton Golf Course before practice on Tuesday. Birmingham, who helped lead the Falcons' to back-to-back Dulles District tournament titles, is the reigning individual district champion. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Briar Woods Coach Bob Vitti shrugs off his first shot from the driving range during Tuesday's practice as Brambleton Golf Course. Vitti, in his third year as the Falcons' coach, has led his team to back-to-back Dulles District tournament titles and a state tournament appearance in 2007. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Briar Woods seniors T.J. Bailey (left) and Carl Brendes (front) follow through on their shots at the driving range during Tuesday's practice at Brambleton Golf Course. Bailey and Brendes are two of seven returning seniors from the Falcons' back-to-back Dulles District tournament champion teams. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Briar Woods senior Spenser Burcak practices his putting during a Tuesday morning practice at Brambleton Golf Course. Burcak is one of eight returning seniors from the Falcons' 2007 state tournament team. (Matt Brooks)

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FREEDOM-SOUTH RIDING

Coach: Ryan Price (fourth year).

Last Season: Finished sixth in Dulles District during regular season, tied for third in district tournament.

Key Returning Players: Tyler Blake (Jr.) — State tournament appearance last season, shot a 75 at Cheers Open and a 78 at regionals; Alex Choi (Jr.) — Shot an even par 36 vs. County at South Riding and an 80 at Lowes Island to advance to regionals; Nick Lee (Jr.) — Shot an 82 at districts, losing a regional tournament bid to teammate Blake in a playoff.

Key Losses: Daniel Lee – rounded out the middle of Freedom’s lineup and was a key contributor to the team’s success.

Top Newcomers: Chris Kennedy (So.) — Transfer from Kansas, shot a 79 at Wednesday’s Curly Licklider Invitational.

Outlook: The Eagles had their best season to date in 2007, posting a .500 record and finishing in a tie for third at the Dulles District tournament with Loudoun County — just one shot out of regional contention. In juniors Blake, Choi and Lee, Freedom has its core group back from last season, including two golfers who competed at the regional level. Look for the Eagles to continue their ascent into the upper echelon of the district this season with a regional berth a distinct possibility.

From the Tee-Box: “This year’s team has high expectations. Our team tasted some success at the end of last year and has been working hard to improve. Our players who advanced to regionals and states want to get back and come away with a title. We have a good core of players who started for us last year who are all rising juniors. We think we can compete with the best in our district.” — Coach Price.

HERITAGE

Coach: John Dugger (fourth year).

Last Season: Finished fifth at Dulles District tournament.

Key Returning Players: Tierney Stangohr (Sr.) — Finished fifth at regionals, competed at girls’ state tournament; Stefan Kronenburg (Sr.) — first year on team shot a 79 in one match; Paige Pomerene (So.) — Started as a freshman, shot a 79 at Wednesday’s Curly Licklider Memorial.

Key Losses: Christian Darden – Finished fourth at district tournament (75), shot 76 at Region II tournament to qualify for states; Chris Cowne; Billy Janis.

Top Newcomers: John Conley (Fr.) — Shot a team-low 75 at Wednesday’s Curly Licklider Memorial.

Outlook: With only five of 12 players returning, the Pride will temper its expectations at the start of the season, but in Stangohr, Kronenburg, Pomerene and freshman John Conley, they should still be in the thick of it by midseason. Regardless of their finish this year, Dugger has plenty of young talent to build around for the next two seasons.

From the Tee Box: “I think the district is going to be pretty tight this year. With what we’ve got now, we should at least be at the middle of the road, but I expect us to improve during the season. I believe that we can compete with all of the teams in the district, it’s just going to come down to is it somebody’s day or not.” — Coach Dugger.

LOUDOUN COUNTY

Coach: John Laycock (10th year).

Last Season: Finished tied for third at Dulles District tournament.

Key Returning Players: Michael Walker (Sr.) — two-year letterman, only senior starter; Dan Jackson (Jr.) — Consistently scores in top four; Kevin Cook (So.) — Competed in regionals as a freshman, currently No. 1; Andrew Brenneman (So.) — Currently No. 2 player.

Key Losses: Tommy Medaglia – Shot an 81 at Region II tournament; Derek Bulman

Outlook: The Raiders narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Region II tournament at last year’s district tournament, finishing a single stroke behind Potomac Falls in a third-place tie with Freedom. With a talented young core led by sophomores Kevin Cook and Andrew Brenneman, County will look to take the next step. The Raiders should be in the thick of it down the stretch with a good shot to make the regional tournament.

From the Tee Box: “I look for Briar Woods to be a dominating team this year, but anyone taking us lightly is making a sad mistake.” — Coach Laycock.

LOUDOUN VALLEY

Coach: Gary McKay (20th year).

Last Season: Finished second in Virginia AAA Cedar Run during the regular season and tournament, won Northwest Region and advanced to states, finishing seventh.

Key Returning Players: Zach Bosse (Jr.) — Won individual district title (76), shot 79 at region tournament; Scott Davidson (So.) — Finished sixth at Cedar Run tournament (79); Brian Hickney (Jr.) — Shot a 77 at region tournament; Brandon Deleonardis (Jr.) — Shot a 76 at region tournament.

Key Losses: Matt Wallace – Team captain, Vikings’ No. 1 player, honorable mention All-Met; Jake Faircloth.

Top Newcomers: Austin Kaseman (Sr.), Greg Sabella (So.), Patrick Carr (So.), Aaron Price (Fr.).

Outlook: The Vikings won their first Northwest Region title in any sport last fall (their first year in the region) by beating out favorite Franklin County on its home course as four Valley golfers broke 80. With five starters returning, the Vikings got off to a strong start this week, shooting a stellar 291 to take home the Curly Licklider Memorial Tournament title while beating out 22 teams. The Vikings should be the favorites in the Cedar Run again this year as they try to earn a return trip to states.

From the Tee Box: “With five starters returning from last year’s regional championship team, optimism is running high in the Viking camp.” — Coach McKay.

PARK VIEW

Coach: Larry Hinders (second year).

Last Season: Finished eighth in regular season, eighth at district tournament.

Key Returning Players: Jake Wilton (So.), Josh Carter (Sr.), Steven Balik (Sr.), Trevor Scales (Sr.).

Outlook: Hinders’s young team struggled at the district tournament, finishing 37 strokes behind seventh-place Dominion. With several key players back, Park View will look to buck the losing trend this year and take a step forward in the Dulles District standings.

From the Tee-Box: “Last year we became a respectable team during the regular season — our losses were not so lopsided. This year we want to continue to close the gap and perform better at the district championships.” — Coach Hinders.

POTOMAC FALLS

Coach: Jason Leuck (first year).

Last Season: Finished second at Dulles District tournament, third at Region II tournament.

Key Returning Players: Michael Tondi (Sr.), Brett Johnson (So.).

Key Losses: Wyatt Andres – Finished second at Dulles District Tournament (72); Chris Abt; Nick Swimmer; Ryan Yakscoe; Aaron Sweger.

Outlook: After a 1-5-1 regular season in 2007, the Panthers squeaked past Freedom and Loudoun County to finish second at the district tournament and qualify for regionals. For the second straight year they finished third, just missing the cut for states. First-year coach Jason Leuck will be looking to replace a big group of seniors who anchored Potomac Falls last year, but in Tondi and Johnson, he has two of his top six scorers from last year’s regional tournament to build around.

STONE BRIDGE

Coach: David Yockers

Last Season: Finished third at Virginia AAA Liberty District tournament.

Key Returning Players: Russell Moore (Sr.) — Shot a round of 73 at district tournament, finished second, competed in regional tournament, all-district selection.

Key Loss: Josh Apple – Finished 3rd at Liberty District tournament, competed in regional and state tournaments, all-district selection.

Tagged: Briar Woods High School, Broad Run High School, Dominion High School, Freedom High School , golf, Heritage High School, high school sports, Loudoun County High School, Loudoun Valley High School, Park View High School, Potomac Falls High School, Stone Bridge High School

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