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Odds long for 21-0 'Canes in tourney

Despite being unbeaten, the Citrus High girls will be underdogs to perennial power Saddlebrook Prep.

By DAWN REISS
Published October 10, 2005

INVERNESS - Briana Carlson's eyes are laughing under her baseball cap.

She is smirking at a memory.

"I remember when I hit my first golf ball," she said. "I was 8 years old, playing with my father. I was so excited that I picked the ball up after hitting it. I didn't realize what I was doing."

Carlson has come a long way since then, leading the Citrus High School Hurricanes to an unprecedented 21-0 record during this, her freshman season.

"Yeah, she beats me all the time now," said her father, Brian. "I'll shoot an 88 and she'll cut me with a 79. She beats me pretty well. It started about two years ago, but now it's getting worse."

Carlson and her teammates - No. 2 junior Christine Bang, No. 3 sophomore Jordan Connor, No. 4 freshman Ashton Connor, No. 5 freshman Lauren Bomke and No. 6 senior Arien Thomas - now face their toughest competition yet: today's Class A, District 9 championship at Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club.

Saddlebrook Prep has dominated the district, with its schedule of class in the morning, individualized instruction on the practice range in the afternoon. This includes a maximum ratio of five students to each professional at all times.

"Pretty much everybody knows that they are probably playing for second," Citrus coach Michelle Connor said. "They have such an unfair advantage. They can recruit and golf with professional instructors. Until they (the Florida High School Athletic Association) do something about this, we know we are going to playing for second."

But it doesn't dampen the spirits of the Hurricanes.

"It's so easy to trip up when you win that many in a row," Citrus athletic director Vicki Overman said. "To continue that momentum in 21 matches is incredible."

The closest Citrus had previously come to a season like this was 1988, when it went 13-0 and won the district title. The team is riding high after the county championship, where five of its six golfers shot under their averages, Carlson (39 front nine, 37 back nine), Bang (43-35) Ashton Connor (45-45), Jordan Connor (46-46), Bomke (48-45) and Thomas (54-56).

"With scores like that, they can do some damage at district. They could get second," said Lecanto coach Doug Warren, whose squad lost the county meet to Citrus and plays today in the Class 2A, District 6 tournament. Crystal River plays with Citrus in the Class A, District 9 championship.

This season has been giggles and fun, as each golfer has added her own quirkiness.

There's Ashton Connor, who insists on wearing one long, dangly silver earring from her left lobe. She lost the right one on the putting green, which her grandmother later found, but shot so well - 45, twice - that she now refuses to put it back in.

The Hurricanes insist they play better in black shorts, which has left all their khaki pairs in their drawers. There are the country songs, nicknames, high-fives and hugs, and other typical high school fun.

The Hurricanes say they knew this team was special after their first match, which they won 181-188 against Lecanto, a team that has set the standard in the area and has advanced to the regional meet for the past five years.

Whatever pressure arises from winning so much seems to be absent from this team, which is dominated by freshmen. Staying relaxed and focused on the course has been the map to their success.

"What else is there to say?" Carlson said. "It's great. All the girls, we all get along, I'm happy. And I love the fact that I have three years ahead of me."

--Dawn Reiss can be reached at 860-7303 or dreiss@sptimes.com

CLASS 2A-DISTRICT 6

WHO : Belleview, Central, Forest, Lake Weir, Land O'Lakes, Lecanto, Leesburg, Springstead, Vanguard, Wesley Chapel.

WHEN: 9 a.m. today.

WHERE: Pine Oaks Golf Club, Ocala.

THE SKINNY: Lecanto placed second in the Citrus County Activities Association Tournament last week and is looking for its sixth consecutive trip to the regional round. "Our scores have to come down (from the county meet)," Panthers coach Doug Warren said. Carly Lewis was second in the CCAA and teammate Kari Amundson earned all-conference honors. Last season, Lecanto was second in its district to Ocala Vanguard by one stroke. The Knights are once again grouped with Lecanto and come in on a hot streak after shooting a 337 to win the Marion County championship.

UP NEXT: Class 2A-Region 2 match at Palm Harbor Golf Club, Palm Coast, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17.

WHO: Bishop McLaughlin, Citrus, Crystal River, Hernando, Nature Coast, Pasco, Saddlebrook Prep, South Sumter, Zephyrhills.

WHEN: 10 a.m. today.

WHERE: Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club.

THE SKINNY: Citrus hopes its dream season continues, but will have to battle Saddlebrook Prep, which was second in the state in Class A last season. "I have all the faith in the world in the girls, and I know they will do the best that they can do," Citrus coach Michelle Connor said. "I think they'll be just fine." The Hurricanes (21-0) won the Citrus County Activities Association championship Thursday, paced by freshman Briana Carlson's 76. Citrus had five of the top six finishers at the event. Meanwhile, Crystal River junior Andrea Adams looks to make it to the regionals for the third consecutive season.

UP NEXT: Class A-Region 3 match at Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley Chapel, 10 a.m. Oct. 17.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 01:18:12]