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The reaction to the back nine was the same. It was another ‘Oh my gosh’ moment, but for a different reason.
Centerville rallied to shoot 317 at the district meet – the second best district score in program history and highlighted by their freshman medalist – to advance to this weekend’s D-I state championships. The Elks head to state for the fifth straight season and 15th time in school history.
“We qualified and it was such a good feeling,” Dickerson said of the Elks, who finished two strokes behind district champ Lakota East.
Centerville coach Mike Dalton considered as many as eight teams in the running for three qualifying spots. The Elks were one of them, but Dalton wasn't exactly sure what to expect in a tense tournament with three first-year varsity golfers. In addition, Centerville graduated individual state champion Marissa Wenzler and standout Kayla Ramsey.
Centerville freshman Morgan Rodgers shot 75 to join Wenzler as the only Elks golfers to win an individual district championship. Rodgers, focused on performing well for the team, didn’t know there was an individual champion and was just as surprised to find out it was her.
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“I really had no idea. I knew I was playing well but I didn’t know any of that was going to happen. It was a big surprise,” Rodgers said. “There were a lot of emotions, mainly surprised. But excitement, definitely.”
Also competing at state for the Elks are juniors Meha Pandya (79), Amelia Burger (83) and Dickerson (80) and sophomore Jenna Hayes (83). Senior Carley Jones serves as the alternate. Both Pandya and Hayes were on last year’s state team that finished third.
“I think we definitely surprised ourselves at district,” Pandya said. “I told the team on the back nine anything can happen. We ended up getting second so I think that was a good experience going into state. … I think heading into state we know we have the game to play. If we go out and play our game we should have some fun.”
Defending state champion New Albany enters as the favorite. Centerville has played in numerous tournaments with New Albany and other state qualifiers so the Elks know what it takes to be in contention.
“If someone does bad there’s usually someone else who does better. We switch spots and help each other that way,” said Hayes, who along with Pandya are preparing their teammates for what to expect.
“The first tee there are so many people it’s scary. With your adrenaline when you step up (to the tee) you’re shaking.”
Centerville plays Ohio State University’s Gray Course on Friday and Saturday. The D-I boys tournament plays the OSU Scarlet Course the same days. Springboro junior and district champion Jordan Gilkison, Centerville junior Eric Cherubini and Carroll sophomore Shane Ochs qualified for the boys tournament.
“I remember being in middle school listening to the girls golf team about going to state,” Burger said. “I kind of thought it wasn’t a gimme, but we had a chance to do it. It pushed me and motivated me to work harder and get there. … I feel like all the hard work has paid off for us. I’m really excited. I’ve heard stories and I think it’s going to be a great experience.”
Jones credits Dalton’s course scouting reports – including yardage, bunker locations, slopes of the greens among the info — for helping Centerville keep its season going.
“We have one of the best coaches in the state of Ohio,” Jones said. “He prepares us like one the best coaches. He goes above and beyond for us and we’re very thankful to have him in our program.”
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