Girls golf: Avon Lake's depth pays off in SWC Preview win; Avon's Madigan O'Leary claims individual title

NORTH OLMSTED — Consistency is the key to winning golf, especially team golf. And despite Avon senior Madigan O'Leary earning medalist honors with a 2-over-par 37, it was consistency that carried Avon Lake to the Southwestern Conference Preview team title Monday at Springvale Golf Course. Avon Lake's No. 1 golfer, junior Olivia Tobin, finished one stroke behind O'Leary with a 3-over 38 in the nine-hole tournament, but the Shoregals' No. 5 player, Mia Machovina, shot a 42 and Moira McGinty and Ava Lamb each shot a 46 to propel Avon Lake to a seven-shot advantage, 167-174, over their archrivals. No other team finished within 30 strokes of the Shoregals as Midview came in third with a 201 followed by Olmsted Falls (207) and Amherst (207). "The team was really focused on this because we didn't win it last year," Avon Lake coach Krystine Frisch said. "We still have things to work on but I'm happy with how they played. "We had a few days off because of the rain last week. Honestly, sometimes a few days off helps mentally and physically." After O'Leary, Avon's two best scores came from Emma Fitch (44) and Allie Day (46). "I came here on Saturday and Sunday to play a couple of practice rounds and that wound up really benefiting me," O'Leary said. "I was focused on my approach shots and that really helped." The preview was originally scheduled for Aug. 7 but heavy rains forced it be postponed until Monday. The golfers found the extra three weeks beneficial as opposed to playing such an important event on the first day of the season for most teams. "Having the preview today gave everyone the chance to get a couple of weeks of golf in and get all of the kinks out," O'Leary said. "I think that really helped everyone today." From a coaches standpoint, Frisch agreed that a late August preview gives a better indication of where the teams really stand. "It is nice to have a few matches in before the preview," Frisch said. "I think that's how the boys do it. Really, either way is fine. If you have it early you can see where you're at and where you have to improve. Having it now, you see the girls playing with more confidence." The third-place Middies had big days from players who are better know for their talents on the basketball court. Senior Olivia DiFranco shot a 51, while sophomore Leah DiFranco led Midview with a 47, one shot better than teammate Sabrina Crowley (48). Kasey Timko led North Ridgeville with a 45, while Amherst had three golfers — Lizzy Iliff, Hananiah Smith and Shylia Plezia — all shoot 49. "I feel like a lot of my round was dependent on my drives," Tobin said. "I hit them a lot further than I usually do, which made it easier to play for par and birdie. The course was in great shape. It drained really well after all the thunderstorms last week. It was actually pretty dry and the greens were kind of fast." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. TEAM SCORES: Avon Lake 167, Avon 174, Midview 201, Olmsted Falls 204, Amherst 207, North Ridgeville 208, Berea-Midpark 212 MEDALIST: Madigan O'Leary, Avon, 37 TOP INDIVIDUALS: Olivia Tobin, Avon Lake, 38; Sarah Quayle, Avon Lake, 41; Emma Fitch, Avon, 44; Ava Lamb, Avon Lake, 46; Moira McGinty, Avon Lake. 46; Allie Day, Avon, 46 AVON LAKES (167): Olivia Tobin 38, Sarah Quayle 41, Liv Ritter 47, Ava Lamb 46, Mia Machovina 42, Moira McGinty 46 AVON (174): Madigan O'Leary 37, Allie Day 46, Rivya Veena 49, Emma Fitch 44, Kylie Kittrell 51, Reese Thomas 47 MIDVIEW (201): Sabrina Crowley 48, Leah DiFranco 47, Olivia DiFranco 51, Alana Stacey 55, Hunter Crum 58, Olivia Underwood 65 OLMSTED FALLS (204): Ella Atkins 50, Aubrey Caraballo 56, Ashley Veverka 50, Addison Mullen 58, Liz Gaal 52, Rachael Price 52 AMHERST (207): Lizzy Iliff 49, Hananiah Smith 49, Shylia Plezia 49, Peyton Zkrajsek 60, Amaya Walsh 70, Trista Stottlemire 69 NORTH RIDGEVILLE (208): Gianna Betone 47, Kasey Timko 45, Kaylee Hartman 63, J'Leena Figeroua 57, Maddie Gerber 59, Hailey Reber 62 BEREA-MIDPARK (212): Miranda Haneberg 51, Sydney Van Dress 49, Abigail Roy 53, Sophie Vigelatne 59, Isabella Santore 60, Avery James 60