Comets’ Ewerson, Huston return to defend league title

By: 
J. Patrick Eaken

        Cody McPherson takes over the Genoa boys golf program after coaching the junior varsity team three years.
        “I now have the privilege of taking over after the long-time success of Mike Destazio, who is now at Lake, and Chris Katafiasz, who ran the program last year,” McPherson said.
        Last year, Genoa and Woodmore had a league score of 44 points each, followed by Eastwood (36), Lake (32), Otsego (23), Rossford (18) and Elmwood (13). The Comets managed to save the co-championship by winning the league’s 18-hole tournament after Woodmore won three of four of the nine-hole shootouts. It was Genoa’s fourth straight league championship and first for Woodmore in seven years.
        At Green Hills Golf Course in Clyde, Genoa won the league tournament as Tommy Giles shot 41-38—79, Joey Large shot 38-46—84, Jake Ewerson shot 45-47—92, and John Huston scored 44-45—89 for a team score of 344, nine strokes better than Woodmore (353).
        However, Giles and Large graduated, so McPherson is starting with a young team this year, returning only two players.
        “We are looking to be young this year. We have two returning letter winners from last year, (junior) Jake Ewersen and (sophomore) Jon Huston,” McPherson said.
        “We will be starting the season off with three freshmen in Isaac Ewersen, Caleb Klatt, and Alex Large, who have shown hard work and great effort leading up to the season. They have that internal motivation and drive to be at the course all the time and want to be around the game.”
        McPherson says there are additional underclassmen who are working to contribute as the season progresses.
        “At this time, we have a competitive group of freshmen and sophomores looking to fill the six-man role, but it has yet to be determined. The strength of the team will be their unity and passion for the game. Their weakness will come from a lack of experience,” McPherson said.
        “I expect the Comets to take a few licks on the chin this year, learn from those matches, from other opponents, and from each other in order to improve throughout the season. They are a good group of players, full of energy and excitement, and fun to be around. They are program-building athletes.”
        The Comets have participated in tournaments at Catawba Island Club, the St. Francis Invitational, the Rossford Invitational and they hosted the annual Tom Pickerel Invitational. At the Rossford tournament at Cross Winds Golf Course in Perrysburg Township, the Comets shot 175 behind Jake Ewerson (39), Huston (44), Isaac Ewerson (47), Alex Large (45) and Klatt (48).
        “We have been finishing in the middle of the pack in these events which is encouraging and also a great goal setter for our players,” McPherson said. “Yes, we played well for a group of freshmen and sophomores. Our junior played well enough and our younger players gained a good chunk of experience.”
        However, if Genoa wants to defend the title, Lake and Eastwood are already showing that they can golf, and golf well. At the Rossford tournament, Eastwood scored 162 to win behind Tristan Schuerman (37), Zach Buehler (37), Trent Marten (44) and Ethan Edelbrock (44). Lucas Gallaher added a 45 for the Eagles.
        DeStazio’s Lake team finished second, scoring 166 behind top golfers Myles Lowe (39) and Ben Luoma (41).
 
Genoa girls
        Don Colyer, returns for his seventh year coaching the Genoa girls team. Colyer’s granddaughter former Comet Reagan Guthrie is already a key member of the Trine University women’s golf team her sophomore year. Colyer says he has enjoyed his role teaching all of the girls who have golfed for him so far.
        “I have had the incredible privilege of coaching girls who love the game and work hard to get better every day. All of the girls that have played for Genoa were truly incredible and dedicated individuals,” Colyer said.
        Last year the team was 7-11 in dual matches. Returning are five letter winners in senior Lilly Schwalbe, Samantha Smith, and Jackie Rollins, junior Heidi Rutowski and sophomore Rachel Beard. Schwalbe was second team All-NBC last year after averaging 52.7 strokes per nine.
        He also has three first-year players in senior Mallorie Mefferd and freshmen Maddison Zimmerman and Paige Lewis. Although new to the program, Colyer says they are not new to the game.
        “All three have played golf. There is lots of talent there and all three are dedicated and work hard on the game. They will definitely contribute to the Genoa program,” Colyer said.
        “I’ve been looking forward to the 2021 season. This team has something special and that will make them and our team winners. It is certainly a privilege to be their coach.”
 
 
 
 
 

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