The Daily Ardmoreite has always released All-Area teams in football, basketball, baseball and softball. But some additions have been made throughout the 2007-08 athletic school year.
In March, an All-Area Wrestling Team was put together for the first time in a long time, if not ever. Then, three weeks ago, came the All-Area Track and Field Teams. Now, today, there are the All-Area Golf Teams.
The idea had been talked about before, since Ardmore is a big golf town and this is the year it came to fruition.
The process of how the Super Teams were decided began as each coach made their nominations once they were contacted.
Then the staff made the selections, along with the honorable mention list. How the players finished in the postseason, particularly a state, weighed in on the selections.
Because it was short notice, some coaches could not be reached.
Players whose coaches could not be reached, were given consideration for the team based on their accomplishments.
Only one Super Team member could not be tracked down. The others were just honorable mention.
With their runner-up finish in the team standings and the top individual medalist at the Class 3A Girls state tournament, Plainview made up most of the girls’ team.
And winning its third state title in four years and three top 10 finishes in the individual ranks, Ardmore made up half of the boys’ team.
Girls’ Super Team
Emily Leahey, senior, Plainview — Was the No. 1 golfer in the Lady Indians’ line-up. She produced a standout high school career on the links Having won numerous individual titles, runner-ups and top 10 finishes, she finished it off as the state individual champion in 3A Girls and won it with an incredible shot from the fairway that landed a few inches near the flagpole on the 18th hole, setting up an easy birdie for the title. She finished with 77-74—151. Leahey made All-State and will continue her golf career at the college level at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Leahey was also the individual champion at the regional tourney one week before at Lakeview Golf Club, when she bested teammate Jenna Ross by one stroke in a one-hole playoff.
Jenna Ross, senior, Plainview —She was the No. 2 golfer in the Lady Indians’ line-up. Made All-State after a fourth-place finish at state with 82-83—165. Shot a career-low of 75 at the regional tournament at Lakeview, tying for first with teammate Emily Leahey. They played in a playoff that ended with Ross coming up short. She was honored as the runner-up medalist.
Note: While Leahey and Ross are members of last year’s stae championship team at Plainview, they’re not the only ones in their respective families to accomplish the feat. Each have an older brother who also played for a state championship team. Leahey’s brother, Matthew, played for Ardmore’s 2005 Class 5A Boys state championship team. Ross’s brother, Spencer, was a member of three Plainview state championship teams in 1992 through 1994.
Ann Dexter, senior, Plainview — She was the No. 3 golfer in the Lady Indians’ line-up. She finished tied for 10th at state with 84-89—173.
Kelsey Anderson, junior, Lone Grove — She was the top golfer for the Lady Longhorns. Her score of 83 at 3A regionals earned her a trip to state, where she finished with 91-91—182.
Linlee Blevins, sophomore, Sulphur — Her top moment came when she shot 87 at the 3A regional tournament at Lakeview Golf Club. That got her in to state.
Lynsie Watkins, Fox — She was the only girl at her school to play golf. She made state as an individual with an 87 at the Class 2A regional tournament. She carded 95-97—192 at state.
Boys’ Super Team
Ryan Smith, senior, Ardmore — He was the No. 2 golfer in Tigers’ lineup. After being away last year at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida, he made a strong impact in the Tigers’ Class 5A regional and state championship squad. He was runner-up medalist at state with 68-72-69—209 and made All-State. Smith’s last swing in high school golf was one to remember. With his ball in the bunkers outside the 18th green, he made a chip shot in the sand that sent the ball onto the green and straight toward the pole and into the hole. He will continue his golf career in college at New Mexico University.
Britt Ritter, senior, Ardmore — He was the No. 1 golfer in the Tigers’ lineup after winning state individual honors last year. He also made a strong impact for the Tigers’ championship year. He placed third at state with 74-69-70—213 and made All-State. He will continue his golf career in college at Texarkana Community College in Texas.
Note: Both Smith and Ritter, who were Ardmore’s 1-2 punch except for last year, are members of all three of the Tigers’ state championship teams since 2005. The duo had a share of individual titles and runner-up finishes through their prep careers.
Daniel McMurry, Ardmore — Produced a tremendous first round with 69 in the first round at state, before finishing in sixth place with 69-78-70—217.
Tymon John, senior, Dickson — Before playing at Dickson, John was a member of Ardmore’s state championship teams from 2005 and 2006. He represented the Comets as an individual at the Class 3A state tournament in Perkins, where he finished in a 3-way tie for sixth-place with 77-77-77—231. Ironically, the people who he tied with are also from the area.
Brandon Willis, senior, Lone Grove — He carded 73-80-78—231 as one of three players from the area to tie for sixth. He overcame a major hurdle when his golf clubs were stolen early in the season. Although it took some time to adjust to a new set of clubs, he managed a successful campaign with a trip to state. A story on the matter will appear in a later edition.
Bryeson Lance, senior, Sulphur — He was another golfer who tied for sixth at state, where he shot 80-75-76—231 and impacted the Bulldogs seventh-place finish in the team standings. He was a top 10 finisher in most tournaments, with third being his highest finish of his prep career.
Honorable mention:
Girls
Plainview — Brittney Walker
Dickson — Autumn Marsh
Lone Grove — Raegan Sabelhouse
Sulphur — Kyla Beasley, Katie Grimes
Tishomingo — Cody Gardner
Madill — Sarah Codner
Kingston — Katie Croasdale, Lindsey French
Boys
Ardmore — Davis Rison, David McMurry
Plainview — Aaron Morgan
Lone Grove — Jordan Wood, Brandon Bean
Sulphur — Kendall Lance, Earl Moreno
Davis — Chris Campbell
Tishomingo — Justin Rankins
Kingston — Justin Brown, Zac Rose
Turner — Myles Hartlog
Mike Moguin, 221-6522
mike.moguin@ardmoreite.com
