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Low scores required at regionals

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Sebring's Sean Garner and the rest of his Blue Streaks teammates will tee it up Tuesday in the regional golf tournament at Windermere Country Club in Orlando.

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: October 26, 2009

SEBRING - The Sebring and Avon Park boys golf teams will both need to shoot their lowest rounds of the season this week to advance in their respective regional tournaments.

Sebring, which last week lost in a playoff and finished second to Bartow in the Class 2A-District 9 tournament, likely will need to shave several strokes off their four-person team score of 326 to prolong their season.

"Our goal was to advance to regionals and we've accomplished that," Blue Streaks coach Vince Liles said last week, "but we're going to have to play better because there are going to be some real strong teams" at Windermere Country Club, site of the tournament.

The Blue Streaks played a practice round at the event site last week, and only two teams will move on to the state tournament.

Sebring senior Aaron Walkup fired a team-low 78 in the district tournament at Bartow Golf Course. Left-hander Blake Liles, who competed in the Highlands County Ryder Cup competition, and Tyler Sanders each shot 81, and Sean Garner carded an 86 for the Blue Streaks, who advanced to regionals along with Bartow and Lake Region.

"The guys have worked hard and we've had an outstanding season, but we'd like to finish in the top two and keep playing," Liles said.

Gentry, Davis lead AP

AVON PARK - The Red Devils will play their regional tournament today at The Eagles Golf Club in Odessa, a course unfamiliar to several golfers on the team.

They finished first in the Class 1A-District 13 tournament at Wedgewood Country Club, where left-hander Greg Gentry carded a 79 and earned medalist honors after defeating teammate Clay Davis on the first playoff hole. Evan Danzey fired an 82 to finish fourth overall.

The Red Devils will need to shoot drastically lower than their four-person district score - 338 - if they hope to advance to states.

"We had some challenges this season but we've been able to overcome those and we're going to have to shoot four low scores if we want to advance to the state tournament," Avon Park coach Bobby Barben said last week.

Girls

AVON PARK - Not content with breaking a few school records, the Avon Park girls golf team is seeking its first-ever trip to the state tournament with a strong showing in today's regional tournament at The Eagles Golf Club.

The Red Devils, who last week shot a four-person team score of 419 to win the Class 1A-District 13 tournament at Schalamar Creek Country Club, have been led all season by the steady play of senior Paige Moffat.

Last week, Moffat carded a 94, junior Sarah Hunnicutt shot a 95, Katelynn Stoll fired a 113 and Angela Bateman had a 117, leading the Red Devils to their first district championship in school history.

"We've had an awesome season and the girls are looking forward to competing against some good competition in the regionals," Avon Park girls coach Suzie Gentry said last week.

Streaks strive to remain undefeated

Behind a season-best round of 85 by Savana Fisher, the Sebring girls golf team captured the Class 2A-District 9 tournament last week at Cypresswood Country Club.

Now, it's hoping for more.

The Blue Streaks, who are 26-0 this season, will compete in the regional tournament at Hunter's Creek Golf Club.

"The longer you play in the postseason, the tougher the competition gets," Sebring girls coach Debbie McNall said last week. "Our goal was to win a district championship this season and we've done that. The girls are looking forward to competing at regionals and we're going to go to Orlando and give it our best effort and see what happens."

Sebring is led by senior Camiel White, who shot a 92 in the district tournament, freshman left-hander Sarah Liles (96), and Lindsey Lovett, whose 97 last week rounded out the Blue Streaks scoring.

The Highlands Today sports staff can be reached at 863-386-5837 or sports@highlandstoday.com

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