Seven Hills swings at state again

HAMILTON COUNTY -  The Stingers of the Seven Hills School were swingers again in the Division III state golf tournament which is no small accomplishment for the non-denominational institution off of Red Bank Road.

With just over 1,000 students ranging from two-years-old to 12th-graders, the Stingers have had their share of recent success stories.  

Doug Huff, the Seven Hills golf coach represents one of them as he proudly sported a "2016 State Champions" jacket at a recent practice at Losantiville Country Club.

"It's always good to add to the list of championships," Huff said. "At Seven Hils School, last year was the first-ever boys' team state golf championship and only the third state championship in school history in any sports. Swimming's got two and we've got one. We're looking to defend our title in Columbus this week."

A year ago, Seven Hills won the DIII title by 10 strokes over Van Buren.  Also playing at the NorthStar Club that day in Sunbury was Cincinnati Country Day who finished sixth, but 38 strokes behind the Stingers who were the buzz of the day.

Several seniors are gone from the 2016 squad, including Jack Lane who finished fifth individually with rounds of  77-76 for a 153.  A big returner coming back though is his brother Max Lane.  As a sophomore, Max shot 76-81 to finish seventh.

"We lost a great deal of players, but the returning players we have are very, very solid," Huff said. "Max Lane is our number one golfer. He was second-team All-State last year as a sophomore. Senior John Stewart is another returning player who plays both soccer and golf."

At Seven Hills, dual-sport athletes are a must to be competitive, thus Stewart shifts from kicking to putting.   Lane led the Miami Valley Conference with a 38.80 nine-hole average, with Stewart and Egan Dewitt next in line at 43 and 44, respectively.  Ben Schiff, Michael Weirich, and Louann Kovach round out the Stingers.  Kovach could compete individually with girls (Seven Hills has no girls team) but chooses to hit from the back tees and has put up respectable scores.

At the tournament Saturday, Seven Hills had to settle for sixth-place with Cincinnati Country Day taking eighth.   Dewitt led the Stingers with the best two-day score of 158 followed by Lane with 160.  CCD was led by Jon Pettengill at 163 and Jack Gardner at 168.

"It's always a big deal no matter how many times you've been up there," Huff said. "It never gets old. It's a testament to how strong golf is in Southwest Ohio, Divisions I, II and III.

A big plus this year for Seven Hills and Max Lane is familiarity.  Lane has played under the spotlight and hopes for more as he eventually pursues college golf. Stewart also played in last year's victory.

"Max and John Stewart have been our one-two punch," Huff said. "They know what it's all about."

Added Lane, "It's a good experience to have. Going up there the first time last year was pretty tough, nerve-wracking, you don't really know what to expect. Having that experience I hope really helps us."

The future also remains bright for the Stingers as Lane returns as a senior next season and Huff talks of a promising middle-school team moving to the prep level.

Division II state qualifiers

Summit Country Day led the locals in Division II with a fourth-place finish.  The Silver Knights were led by Sam Gosiger with a 73-75 for 148 which was the seventh-best score overall.  Jack McCleary registered at 156.

Individually, Dylan Stevens of Wyoming was 19th overall with a 74-82 for 156.