Sunday, October 21, 2001
Middletown's Coffing wins girls state golf
By Dave Schutte
Enquirer Contributor
Carling Coffing get a hug from coach Richard Packert.
(Ernest Coleman photos)
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COLUMBUS — The pressure was on Carling Coffing going into Saurday's final 18 holes of the girls state golf tournament and the Middletown sophomore was up to the challenge.
After bogeying the first two holes on the Gray Course at Ohio State, Coffing regrouped and went on to shoot a 3-over par 74 for a two-day score of 147 to win medalist honors by nine shots over Alexandra Casi of East Palestine.
“I'm very excited,” Coffing said. “There was a lot of pressure today. After the first two holes, I tried to relax and play my game. I came back with a birdie on the third hole which turned it around.”
Lakota West fired a 339 to duplicate last year's fourth-place finish with a score of 690. Mount Notre Dame finished at 724 and Middletown wound up with 758.
Coffing makes a putt.
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Besides earning medalist honors, Coffing was named first-team all state with Lakota West senior Ana Brown (165) claiming second- team honors.
“There were a lot of factors on Friday such as pressure and wanting to win the championship,” Brown said. “Personally, there wasn't much pressure on me today because I like chasing rather than being chased.”
Brown's 80 was the best by a Firebird golfer on Saturday. Junior teammate Ashley Williams shot an 83 and senior Ashley Welker had 87.
Besides wanting to go out a winner, the senior trio of Brown, Welker and Abby Smardon wanted to give coach Bev Lyon a retirement gift after leading the program for 18 years.
“I'm happy with the way we came back today,” Lyon said. “The 690 is a school record for 36 holes and we defended last year's fourth-place finish. We dug too deep a hole the first day.”
Coffing's future appears bright and there's a good possibility she could become the first girls golfer to win medalist honors three consecutive years.
“My dad (Tom) got me started playing when I was 8 years old,” Coffing said. “I was pretty good but I didn't start playing in tournaments until I was 13 years old.”
Coffing, who carries a 3.9 grade point average, has played in the World Junior Tournament in San Diego four times, barely missing the cut for the finals by two stokes this year.
Middletown coach Rich Packert continues to be amazed by Coffing's play.
“She's a once in a lifetime player,” Packert said. “She came into high school knowing the game and continues to improve. She's very focused and a nice person to be around.”
Local team scores
Lakota West (690) — Brown 85-80—165, Williams 86-83—169, Welker 86-87—173, Smardon 94-95—189, Worpenberg 104-89—193.
Mount Notre Dame (724) — Jones 91-86—177, Kaiser 97-84—181, Quinlan-Waters 92-89—181, Santel 102-93—195, Rosati 92-89—181)
Middletown (758) — Coffing 73-74—147, Stevens-Gleason 103-98—201, Le Velle 103-92—195, Myers 111-104—215, May 117-107—224.
Individuals: Herman, St. Ursula 95-90—185; Mayborg, Ursuline 88-91—179, Ryan 82-84—166.
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Middletown's Coffing wins girls state golf
