Undefeated Mark Gives Mustangs Region B Tourney Berth
Despite finishing unbeaten in the Bull Run District regular season play for the second time in as many years, the George Mason High School varsity golf team once again faltered in the tournament final, as a rare poor match by the Mustangs and stellar play on the part of the Clarke County Eagles spelled defeat for the regular season champions.
The host Eagles saw three players shoot 84, as Kyle Seekford, Jordon Braithwaite and Kevin Wiseman all finished twelve-over-par to pace Clarke. Gus Callan rounded out the top-four scorers for the Eagles to give Clarke a season-best final score of 337.
Madison County, led by reigning district player of the year Joe Canosa came in second at 347, largely on the strength of Canosa's tournament-best 78. Mason finished third, shooting an uncharacteristic 352. Rappahannock County and Manassas Park, unable to field enough golfers to participate in the team portion, did not officially place.
For Mason, sophomore Evans Mandes continued his impressive season, leading his squad with an 83 on the day. Three Michaels rounded out the scoring for the Mustangs, as senior Mike Straub and sophomores Michael Duning and Mike Wolfe shot an 84, 92 and 93 respectively.
A week ago, the Mustangs closed out their regular season at a perfect 12-0 in dual matches, besting Manassas Park 153-192. The mark of 152 was the Mustangs' lowest score of the season.
Straub, juniors Drew Davies and Chris An all shot match-lows of 38, while Mandes nearly matched his counterparts with a 39 to round out the scoring for Mason.
The team will start the 2008 season with an 18-match regular season winning streak dating back to last year.
Despite the third-place finish in the District Tournament, Mason still earned a birth in the Region B Tournament next Tuesday, along with the tournament champion Eagles. The tournament will take place at Falling River C.C. in Appomattox,Va. at 9 a.m., with the top two teams advancing to the state tournament the following Monday.
Last year, the team fell just short in the Region B Tournament, but with an extremely deep roster of golfers capable of putting up low scores at any point, hopes are high among the squad for a strong showing next week.
