Cougars win state golf title

From left: Pat Whisenant,Taylor Bunten, Anna Redding, Annie Collom
 and Kate Collom. COURTESY OF BETH COLLUM

Cannon School repeated as private school girls’ golf champions, winning by 26 shots over second-place Durham Academy Oct. 24 at Mid Pines Golf Club in Pinehurst.

The Cougars, under the direction of first-year coach Pat Whisenant, shot a combined low score of 249.

Junior Kate Collom and sophomore Anna Redding led the way, tying for second place with their 18-hole score of 82.

Sophomore Annie Collom shot an 85 while classmate Taylor Bunten posted a 94.

The Colloms sisters and Redding were named to the all-state team.

“It's been a real honor to be a part of this run and these girls, who are great players and people,” Whisenant said. “They lifted each other up when they weren't putting well today and pulled it together for a state championship.”

Cannon was equally as impressive last year, when the Cougars won by 22 shots. The Cougars have beaten 25 of their last 26 opponents in the two-year span. Their only loss on the course was to defending 2A state champion Salisbury last year.

- Jay Edwards

Concord golfer finishes second at states

Concord junior Sarah Bertram shot a 3-over-par 75 Tuesday to lead the field on day two of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A girls' golf championships and to claim a second-place finish at the event.

Bertram finished six shots from the leader, Pikeville Charles B. Aycock's Tara Simmons, with a 161 after shooting a disappointing 86 Monday.

Mount Pleasant junior Lacy Mirovich finished tied for 12th with a 179, while Cox Mill junior Kira Aiken was tied for 21st with a 185.

To view full results from the 3A girls' golf championships, which were held at Pinehurst's Foxfire Resort and Golf Club, click here.

Cannon wins inaugural NCISAA girls' golf title

Cannon School's girls' golf team won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association's state championship strokes Monday in Greensboro.

The Cougars were led by sophomore Kate Collum, who shot an 18-hole score of 75, and her freshman sister Annie, who finished fourth in the field with a 78. Cannon's Anna Redding (79) and Taylor Bunten (88) were fifth and ninth for the tournament.

Cannon finished with a score of 232 - 22 strokes ahead of Raleigh's Ravenscroft.

To read more about the Collum sister, read our article on the duo from earlier in the year.

NCISAA state championship tournament standing

1- Cannon School 232

2- Ravenscroft 254

3- Saint Mary's School 266

4- Charlotte Country Day 287

5- Durham Academy 309

6- Forsyth Country Day 318

7- Charlotte Latin 319

8- Cary Christian 332

9- Providence Day 362

All-NCISAA girls' golf state team

- Evie Dole, Ravenscroft (Player of the Year)

- Jessica Kittelberger, Ravenscroft

- Kate Collom, Cannon

- Mary Kate Holanek, Cary Christian School

- Anna Redding, Cannon

- Annie Collom, Cannon

- Cameron Little, Saint Mary's School

- Katie Seymour, Saint Mary's School

- Brook Vann, Charlotte Country Day

- Taylor Bunten, Cannon

Cone wraps up Bulldog career with 4th-place finish

Trevor Cone finished his Jay M. Robinson golf career with a fourth-place finish in the 3A boys' golf state championship. The senior shot a 36-hole score of 142, which was two-under-par for the tournament. His teammate, fellow senior Tom Farrell shot a 153 for the championship.

Hickory's J.T. Poston won his second consecutive state title, shooting a N.C. record low score of 131.

The Bulldogs finished team play in sixth place, shooting a team score of 623 (311 Monday and 312 Tuesday). They were 44 strokes behind state champions Burlington Williams.

Quick hits: May 10

Newsome is new Wonders coach

There were big news coming out of Kannapolis Monday night, as Mike Newsome was announced as the new football coach at A.L. Brown. Newsome, who led Butler to back-to-back 4AA state championships, will take over for Ron Massey. He starts at Kannapolis July 1. For a full article, click here.

Bulldogs still in contention for state title

The Jay M. Robinson boys' golf team was in sixth place after the first day of play at the 3A state championship tournament. Senior Trevor Cone's one-under 71 led the way for the Bulldogs, who had a team score of 311, 23 shots behind first-place Gastonia Forestview.

Robinson's Chris Johnson shot a 76, while Tom Farell had a 79. Concord individual qualifier Wainwright Ritchie shot a 74 thru the first 18 holes.

Hickory's J.T. Poston, last year's individual champion, is leading the way again, shooting a NCHSAA record nine-under 63 in the first day.

SPC softball tourney starts today

The South Piedmont Conference softball tournament gets under way tonight. Want previews for every team? You can read freelance writer Jay Edwards' article from this week's Cabarrus News.

Chargers ranked in Observer's girls' soccer Sweet 16

The Cox Mill soccer team is ranked 16th in the Observer's area rankings. This marks the first time the second-year school has been ranked in the Sweet 16. The Chargers will face South Iredell Wednesday in the first round of the NCHSAA 3A soccer playoffs.

Bulldogs, Wainwright headed to state golf championship

At Monday's boys' golf 3A West Regional, Jay M. Robinson qualified for states as a team while Concord's Wainwright Ritchie took one of the individual spots for next week's 3A golf championship.

Jay M. Robinson, which finished the regional event in second place with a score of 311, was led by regional medalist Trevor Cone. The senior led the field with a 2-under-par 70.

Marvin Ridge (297) finished first while Charlotte Catholic (320) was third to wrap up the state-qualifying teams. The 3A state meet will be held May 9-10 at Foxfire Country Club near Pinehurst.

Here is a list of how Cabarrus County golfers did at Monday's regional:

3A West Region team scores

Central Cabarrus (335)

1. Drew Riley, 83
2. JJ Howard, 85
3. Tim Debarge, 96
4. Austin Kiker, 81
5. Stephen Hartsel, 97
6. Christian Campbell, 86

Cox Mill (330)

1. Eric Baumann, 82
2. Brandon Cordell, 81
3. Garrett Ray, 81
4. Justin Westveer, 86
5. John Marston, 114
6. Austin Albers, 94

Jay M. Robinson 311*

1. Trevor Cone, 70*
2. Tom Farrell, 73*
3. AT Cashwell, 86*
4. Andrew Geddes, 82*
5. Chris Johnson, 89*
6. Bret Fortin, 89*

Mount Pleasant (348)

1. Mitchell Swaringen, 82
2. Avery Suggs, 93
3. Luke Widenhouse, 90
4. Nathan Bryant, 97
5. Trey Swaringen, 95
6. Hayden Carroll, 83

3A West Region individual scores

A.L. Brown

1. Jared DeVlieger, 80
2. Andrew Leslie, 87

Concord

1. Wainwright Ritchie, 74*
2. Seth Roberts, 84

*State qualifier

Bulldogs continue SPC golf dominance

Trevor Cone led Robinson to another SPC tournament title. Photo courtesy of Col. Dick Heftner.

Jay M. Robinson won the South Piedmont Conference boys' golf tournament title Monday with a team score of 318 at Rocky River Golf Club in Concord.

The Bulldogs were led by Trevor Cone, who shot an 18-hole, two-under-par round of 70. The senior was named SPC Golfer of the Year for the second year in a row. The Bulldogs' coach, Col. Dick Hefner, received conference Coach of the Year honors.

At the tournament meet, Cox Mill (340) was second with Central Cabarrus (348) wrapping up the top three. Wainwright Ritchie finished second individually with a round of 78 followed by fellow Spider Seth Roberts at 79.

With the regular season coming to an end, Robinson, Central Cabarrus, Cox Mill and Mt. Pleasant qualified for May 2's regional meet at Cabarrus Country Club. Ritchie and Roberts along with A.L. Brown's Jared DeVlieger and Andrew Leslie qualified as individuals.

The all-conference team was also announced Monday. Here is a list of the golfers who were honored:

• Jared DeVlieger (A.L. Brown)
• Drew Riley (Central Cabarrus)
• Wainwright Ritchie (Concord)
• Seth Roberts (Concord)
• Eric Baumann (Cox Mill)
• Brandon Cordell (Cox Mill)
• Garrett Ray (Cox Mill)
• Justin Westveeer (Cox Mill)
• Trevor Cone (Robinson)
• Tom Farrell (Robinson)
• A.T. Cashwell(Robinson)
• Andrew Geddes (Robinson)

SPC golf wraps up regular season today

South Piedmont Conference golfers have had a busy week, having three golf meets in as many days.

At Irish Creek Country Club Monday, Jay M. Robinson took top honors with a team score of 161. Cox Mill was second with a 170 while Mt. Pleasant rounded out the top three with a 174. Individual honors went to Trevor Cone (Robinson) and Wainwright Ritchie (Concord). Both golfers carded 39s. Andrew Geddes (Robinson) finished third with a 40.

During Tuesday's action at Skybrook, the Bulldogs continued its run with a team score of 157. Cox Mill was second with a 167 and Central Cabarrus was close behind with a 171. Cone, Ritchie and Geddes finished in the top three spots respectively. Cone finished his round with a one-under par 35, while Ritchied shot a 38 and Geddes finished with a 39.

The SPC will hold its regular season finale today at Green Oaks Golf Course at 3:30 p.m. This match will determine the four teams that will move on to next month's Regional. Heading into the meet, the top four teams in the conference are Robinson, Cox Mill, Central Cabarrus and Mt. Pleasant. A.L. Brown has a chance to break into the top four with a strong finish today.

The SPC Conference Tournament will be at Rocky River Golf Club in Concord Monday at 1 p.m.

Cannon 4th-grade golfer competes nationally

Cannon School fourth-grader Michael Sanders of Davidson, N.C., recently completed a busy season of golf. He traveled throughout the Carolinas during the summer and fall to play in tournaments with both the National Junior Golf Club and U.S. Kids Golf.

He won at Northstone Country Club in Huntersville (score of 76) and Rocky River Golf Club in Concord (73), placed 2nd at TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte (73), and 3rd at the Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis (74). Because of his level of play, he qualified for the National Junior Golf Club World Championship, which was played at Sea Trails Resort in Sunset Beach, N.C. over Labor Day weekend. Michael placed 3rd out of 10 boys in his age group.

He won a U.S. Kids Golf World Qualifier tournament at Beacon Ridge in Pinehurst, N.C. last summer, which qualified him for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst in August. Michael placed 43rd out of 143 boys in the nine-year old division.

This fall, he has participated in several other tournaments with the U.S. Kids Golf program. He finished 4th at Highland Creek Golf Club in Charlotte (37 for 9 holes) and 2nd at Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Travelers Rest, S.C, (37 for 9 holes). At River Run, he won his flight in the Junior Club championship and finished his season by winning the Junior Member-Member championship with a 15-year old partner.

Cannon School junior named girls' golf CISAA player of the year

Brianna Ratté, a Cannon School junior who resides in Huntersville, was named the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) player of the year in girls’ golf following an undefeated season. The 16-year-old was also named to the all-conference team for the second time along with golfers from Charlotte Country Day School and Providence Day School.

Cannon School’s girls’ golf team finished behind conference champion Charlotte Country Day School in the CISAA Conference Tournament held Oct. 20 at Skybrook Golf Course in Huntersville. This is Cannon’s second year of CISAA competition.