Undefeated Panthers right on course

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 20, 2001

The Lecanto girls have surprised nobody.

Before the season started, most expected the Panthers to be the county's top team. They have not disappointed.

Prior to Wednesday's match against Crystal River, Lecanto was 3-0 and had four players with sub-50 nine-hole averages. Two wins have come against Citrus and one against Hernando.

"Everybody has played well," Panthers coach Doug Warren said. "Our scores have been right around 185, and we could shoot better than that. I really can't single anybody out. It's been a team effort."

Junior Lisa Lamontagne, with an average of 40, has been the squad's most consistent player. Stephanie Copple, Erin Fields and Tiffany Toy also are in the 40s. Even Nos. 5-7 -- Jessica Kubasik, Kellie Rexford and Suzie Tomasiello -- have played well.

"Of course I'd like to do better, but we're doing okay," Warren said. "Everybody, all the way from No. 1 to No. 7, has shown a lot of improvement. The team we have right now is the team we finished with last year. They've really stepped up."

WORTH WATCHING: Crystal River boys coach Jim Gabbard likes his lineup.

Despite playing poorly in a 161-177 loss to Central on Tuesday, the Pirates have the potential to be one of the area's better teams. Mike Anderson, Jimmy Metz, Jonathan Runnels, Kelly Souheaver and Brian Wilkerson are Crystal River's top players. Metz, Runnels and Wilkerson have played in the No. 1 position.

"They can play," Gabbard said. "But if they let it go, they can play even better."

The Pirates' other loss was to Lecanto. Gabbard said that defeat will not count against them in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference standings because not every group completed its round.

GOING LOW: Crystal River senior Morgan Owen fired an even-par 29 on the practice course at World Woods on Monday in a five-shot win over Hernando. Her round included two birdies.

After four matches, Owen has a nine-hole average of 40, or 5.4 strokes over par. She is a two-time Times All-Citrus/Hernando pick.

NEXT ON THE TEE: The GCAC Tournament takes place Monday at Oak Hills Golf Club in Spring Hill.

The course, unique because it has no water hazards, was designed by well-known professional Raymond Floyd.

The Hernando boys and Lecanto girls were last season's GCAC champions. Fred Farmer of Hernando and Citrus' Christina Mitchell won individual titles. Both players will compete Monday.

- Coaches are asked to phone in results to (800) 333-7505, ext. 8123.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright